At UN, Zimbabwe and Pro-Rape Arguments Fade, from Condi to Susan Rice

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un1rice061908.html

UNITED NATIONS, June 19 -- As the UN Security Council's debate on a resolution to condemn rape as a tool of war began, after Condi Rice swept into the chamber with her entourage, the U.S. mission let it be known that abstentions were no longer expected. What, one wondered, had been the pro-rape argument? As always at the UN, it was styled as a matter of principle. The first argument, according to Inner City Press' sources involved in the negotiations, was that rape no matter how systematic is not a threat to international peace and security but is rather an internal matter. The second was a cultural argument, that the drive behind the resolution is "Western in nature." To be seen as pro-rape, however, would not do. And so a unanimous vote is expected in connection with Condi Rice's visit. There will be 60 speakers, with Myanmar near the rear in 57th place.

Before the meeting began, France's Rama Yade came to the stakeout microphone and gave a speech in French. Like the Security Council delegation, she had just returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically the Kivus. She said militias must be disarmed and then distanced from the Kivus and kept occupied. But which region of Congo would want the FDLR? One imagines a "not in my backyard" battle, in which inducements might be proffered.

On Zimbabwe, Condi Rice will head to the basement for an 11:30 meeting. The Press will be allowed in, after security screening, for the first ten minutes, including a speech by Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Djibril Bassole, then out. On her way to meet Ban Ki-moon, Condi Rice will stop to speak and maybe take some questions. Afghanistan? North Korea? John McCain?

Footnotes: Following his meeting on Darfur in the same basement conference room where Condi Rice will be, U.S. envoy for Sudan Rich Williamson headed to Chicago for a McCain fundraising event. He is said to be positioning himself for a position if McCain wins. On the Obama side, the UN word is Susan Rice. From Condi Rice to Susan Rice, November will tell the story.

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1rice061908.html

France's Role in Chad is "Normal," Rama Yade Says, of the Evicted in N'demena and the Disappeared

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at UN
www.innercitypress.com/un1ramayade041608.html

UNITED NATIONS, April 16 -- Even before the Security Council debate on Africa began, France's Rama Yade told the Press that the meeting would be "determining.. if it were useless, would you all be here?" Inner City Press asked if as French minister for human rights she thought President Sarkozy has done enough to restrain Chad's Idriss Deby, whom France has kept in power, from carrying out mass evictions in N'dajemena and disappearing his political opponents.

"The political and military situation in Chad is not easy," Rama Yade said. "The role of France is normal." She said that Sarkozy raised the issue of "politicians who disappeared" with President Deby a few weeks ago. Video here, from Minute 3:27.

Many have noted that after that meeting, Chad pardoned the French staffers of Zoe's Ark, previously convicted of kidnapping 103 children form Chad and from Sudan. Time or the Mission did not permit this question to be asked of Rama Yade. Instead, a journalist in French asked if these high level gabfests are useful. Rama Yade said yes, mentioning the World Food Program -- by its French acronym PAM -- and the crisis in Somalia. France's main Somalia concern of late has been the return of a French yacht from the pirates who captured it off Somalia's coast.

Tuesday Inner City Press asked France's permanent representation to the UN Jean-Maurice Ripert about his government's reported request to Somalia to put the pirates it capture on trial in France. Ripert said generally that France will fight piracy wherever. Inner City Press followed up, but what of jurisdiction? Amb. Ripert called the question too specific.

Asked about a call by NGOs that the UN's Working Group on children and armed conflict visit Sri Lanka and take action, including moving to refer recruiters there to the International Criminal Court, Ripert said the Working Group is doing a lot. He said that Radhika Coomaraswamy is planning a visit to Sri Lanka. But previously she sent Amb. Rock of Canada in her stead, to her homeland due to alleged conflict of interest. Ripert declined comment on that one as well. Video here. The search for answers will continue, watch this site.

Footnote: inside the Council and at the stakeout, the buzz was of Rama Yade's looks and her young age. These was the specter of resentment, not expressed for example regarding Serbia's also-young Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic. "Maybe Sarkozy couldn't find a fifty year old for the job," one reporter said. Or maybe he wanted somehow who'd be more grateful for the job....

And see, www.innercitypress.com/un1ramayade041608.html