In South Sudan, UN Won't Confirm Request to Uganda to Mediate, Death of Oil Workers or Bor's Fall: Too Close to Kiir?

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 19 -- In South Sudan, now that civilians have been killed right inside the UN compound in Akobo, belatedly the UN Secretariat is speaking out. 

 Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson used his previously-scheduled appearance about the UN's post Sri Lanka failure "Rights Up Front" plan to acknowledge that "lives have been lost" in Akobo.

  Inner City Press asked Eliasson to confirm that the UN has asked Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni to mediate in South Sudan. Eliasson replied that he was not aware of any such request.

(Reuters has run a report quoting Ugandan government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo that "Museveni has been requested by the U.N. to mediate in that conflict." Reuters' UN bureau chief was at the briefing, but strangely did not ask any follow up question to the denial of his own wires' story.)

  UN acting deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq answered about Bor. Inner City Press asked him to confirm the that defectors have taken control of Bor. Haq said he could not confirm that -- which is strange, since he also said UN envoy Hilde Johnson is in close contact with the government, which itself confirmed its loss of control of Bor four hours ago.

  Inner City Press asked Haq to confirm the killing of 16 oil workers in Unity State; he could not confirm that either.

  What explains the UN's initial silence? Part of it is the dysfunction of having atop UN Peacekeeping Herve Ladsous, who has repeatedly on camera refused to answer Press questions, video here, UK coverage here. On December 16, Ladsous briefed the Security Council behind closed doors about UNDOF but didn't say anything to the press as he left, laughing.

  On December 17 it was announced that Ladsous would do a Q&A stakeout. But again he left without doing it. French Ambassador Gerard Araud did a stakeout, but refused to answer any "micro-management' questions about UN Peacekeepers, including if they are combatants and too close to the government (and in Mali, to the French Serval forces).

  That may be among the problems in South Sudan: UN envoy Hilde Johnson is so aligned with the SPLA of Salva Kiir that it appears she has not spoken with Riek Machar; the UN did not say "Dinka are hunting down Nuer in Juba," but used the Lou Nuer tribe name to describe events in Akobo.

When she was last in New York, Inner City Press asked Johnson about a UN staffer in South Sudan having tweeted about tribal trouble in Akobo. That tweet (and account) later disappeared. Johnson told Inner City Press the tweet had been inappropriate. And now?

  Haq said Johnson may appear for a video Q&A tomorrow December 19. Where is Security Council president Gerard Araud? Where is UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous? Watch this site.

Footnote: Reuters not following up on the UN's direct denial of Reuters' story is typical: at least as to the UN, Reuters just reports and moves on. It said Lakhdar Brahimi was a Nobel Prize winner; when disapproved, including by a quote obtained from the Nobel authorities, the reference disappeared but was never explicitly corrected. 

 Reuters named as current UN Libya envoy Abdel Elah Al Khatib (instead of Tarek Mitri), when disappeared it - but itstill remains online. This would be one thing, except bothReuters scribes at the UN have spied / tried to get the investigative Press thrown out of the UN. including speaking with the US Mission. So it is not OK.

   

On Libya Guards, UK's Lyall Grant Says They're a No-Go for Now, Any UNSC Trip On Hold

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 16 -- On Libya, the UN Security Council in late November heard a proposal from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for 235 security officers to protect the UN Mission there, UNSMIL.

  Inner City Press covered that closed door meeting, and the next day asked the Council's then-presidency, China, about the status. The Chinese Ambassador replied that he had just signed the approval letter.

  But on December 16, UK ambassador Mark Lyall Grant confirmed that the guards -- he put the number at 232 -- were a no go and would have to be renegotiated.

  Relatedly, he said that a proposed Security Council trip to Tripoli was dependent on the guards being in place. In any event, he said, decisions about the trip would have to wait the entry of the five new Security Council members on January 1.

  Inner City Press asked Lyall Grant if disagreements in the Security Council about whether the NATO action on the country was a success or failure continued to echo inside. Lyall Grant indicated that disagreements continue.

  This became clear minutes later, when a decidedly non-Western diplomat approached Inner City Press and said, about Libya, "France, the UK and US (you know the acronym) created the militias, let them deal with the problem." 

  The diplomat added, "they caused the problem with two resolutions, now they issue a Presidential Statement telling the Libyan authorities to clean up the mess."

  Yes, disagreements continue.

  On the guards, back on December 9 UN envoy to Libya Tarek Mitri said that some groups in Libya are "going so far as suspecting the proposed arrangement to be a prelude to an international intervention." He said "we will have to spare no effort in dispelling misinterpretations and suspicions, no matter how unjustified they may seem."

  French ambassador Gerard Araud, December's Security Council president, later said that the issue is "on the table" -- that is, it seems, still not approved.

   In part this grows inside the UN -- the secretive planning as when the Mission was being designed, and sloppy reporting by the UN's scribes and spies.

  Inner City Press obtained and exclusively published then envoy Ian Martin's plan for 200 UN personnel. When this was opposed from Libya, the UN was never clear about the provenance of the document; scribes tried to downplay it saying that by mere allusion they had reported it.

  On December 9, the Reuters wire service paid so little attention to the Security Council session on Libya that it entirely mis-identified the UN envoy there, calling him Abdel Alah al Khatib -- the envoy BEFORE Ian Martin. Click here, where this STILL remains online.

  During the Security Council's December 9 session on Libya, there was no Reuters presence at the stakeout. The article with the error lists no editor, only the writer -- Louis Charbonneau, who previously turned over an anti Press internal United Nations Correspondents Association documents to the UN, three minutes after promising not to do so. Story here, document here, audio here. This has yet to be addressed, including by UNCA, now known as the UN's Censorship Alliance.

  We note this error because of Charbonneau's and Reuters' request to the UN to throw Inner City Press out -- while they can't even get the name of the UN's envoy to Libya right. This goes beyond "misinterpretation."

  To clear those up, at the December 2 noon briefing, Inner City Press asked about the new Libya mission, and afterwardBan's spokesperson's office sent Inner City Press this:

Subject: Press release from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on a guard team for its headquarters
To: Matthew.Lee [at] innercitypress.com
From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply [at] un.org
Date: Mon, Dec 2, 2013 at 1:17 PM

Clarification by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya On the Allocation of a Guard Team for its Headquarters in Tripoli

Tripoli, 28 November 2013-

The United Nations Security Council has given initial approval to the request of the United Nations Secretary General regarding the enhancement of the protection of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) through a dedicated guard team for its headquarters in Tripoli. This team should not exceed 235 elements, including a number of administrative and services staff. The functions of aforementioned team shall be limited to the protection of the office and accommodation premises occupied by UNSMIL staff members. The scope of its work shall not exceed the perimeters of UNSMIL headquarters.

The Mission had already informed the competent Libyan authorities that it is in the process of preparing for this measure, which was discussed by the Security Council. Once all needed measures are finalized, and as per the applicable international customs and principles, the United Nations shall send an official letter in which it will inform the Libyan authorities of those measure seeking necessary approval.

The Mission reiterates that the guard team will not be tasked with any role beyond the function for which it was established, and that the formation of such team is a common practice adopted by international organizations and embassies in a large number of countries for ensuring the safety of its staff and premises.

  Perhaps UN Security, from which ten staffers stand to be laid off, didn't know about these posts because, despite Security Council approval, it has not yet been approved by the Libyan authorities. Earlier, when Inner City Press first published then UN official Ian Martin's plan for Libya including 200 armed staff, the Libyan authorities balked and it went nowhere.

Now again we ask: with the 235 guards rejected, now what? Watch this site.

   

On Libya Guards, UN Envoy Tarek Mitri Slams "Misinterpretation," as Reuters Calls Mitri al Khatib

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 9 -- On Libya, the UN Security Council in late November heard a proposal from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for 235 security officers to protect the UN Mission there, UNSMIL.

  Inner City Press covered that closed door meeting, and the next day asked the Council's then-presidency, China, about the status. The Chinese Ambassador replied that he had just signed the approval letter.

  But a week ago alongside Inner City Press' exclusive report on layoffs in UN Security, none of the officials Inner City Press spoke with knew of the Libyan security mission or if it could be a place laid off UN Security staff could apply to serve.

  Now on December 9 UN envoy to Libya Tarek Mitri said that some groups in Libya are "going so far as suspecting the proposed arrangement to be a prelude to an international intervention." He said "we will have to spare no effort in dispelling misinterpretations and suspicions, no matter how unjustified they may seem."

  French ambassador Gerard Araud, December's Security Council president, later said that the issue is "on the table" -- that is, it seems, still not approved.

   In part this grows inside the UN -- the secretive planning as when the Mission was being designed, and sloppy reporting by the UN's scribes and spies.

  Inner City Press obtained and exclusively published then envoy Ian Martin's plan for 200 UN personnel. When this was opposed from Libya, the UN was never clear about the provenance of the document; scribes tried to downplay it saying that by mere allusion they had reported it.

  Now today, December 9, the Reuters wire service paid so little attention to the Security Council session on Libya that it entirely mis-identified the UN envoy there, calling him Abdel Alah al Khatib -- the envoy BEFORE Ian Martin. Click here, where this remains online.

  During the Security Council's session on Libya, there was no Reuters presence at the stakeout. The article with the error lists no editor, only the writer -- Louis Charbonneau, who previously turned over an anti Press internal United Nations Correspondents Association documents to the UN, three minutes after promising not to do so. Story here, document here, audio here. This has yet to be addressed, including by UNCA, now known as the UN's Censorship Alliance.

  We note this error because of Charbonneau's and Reuters' request to the UN to throw Inner City Press out -- while they can't even get the name of the UN's envoy to Libya right. This goes beyond "misinterpretation."

  To clear those up, at the December 2 noon briefing, Inner City Press asked about the new Libya mission, and afterward Ban's spokesperson's office sent Inner City Press this:

Subject: Press release from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on a guard team for its headquarters
To: Matthew.Lee [at] innercitypress.com
From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply [at] un.org
Date: Mon, Dec 2, 2013 at 1:17 PM

Clarification by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya On the Allocation of a Guard Team for its Headquarters in Tripoli

Tripoli, 28 November 2013-

The United Nations Security Council has given initial approval to the request of the United Nations Secretary General regarding the enhancement of the protection of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) through a dedicated guard team for its headquarters in Tripoli. This team should not exceed 235 elements, including a number of administrative and services staff. The functions of aforementioned team shall be limited to the protection of the office and accommodation premises occupied by UNSMIL staff members. The scope of its work shall not exceed the perimeters of UNSMIL headquarters.

The Mission had already informed the competent Libyan authorities that it is in the process of preparing for this measure, which was discussed by the Security Council. Once all needed measures are finalized, and as per the applicable international customs and principles, the United Nations shall send an official letter in which it will inform the Libyan authorities of those measure seeking necessary approval.

The Mission reiterates that the guard team will not be tasked with any role beyond the function for which it was established, and that the formation of such team is a common practice adopted by international organizations and embassies in a large number of countries for ensuring the safety of its staff and premises.

  Perhaps UN Security, from which ten staffers stand to be laid off, didn't know about these posts because, despite Security Council approval, it has not yet been approved by the Libyan authorities. Earlier, when Inner City Press first published then UN official Ian Martin's plan for Libya including 200 armed staff, the Libyan authorities balked and it went nowhere.

Now again we ask: will they accept these 235? Watch this site.

   

As Arab League Proposes al-Khatib, Libya UN Fiasco & Banning Not Answered

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, February 12 -- When UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited Jordan earlier this year, he apparently didn't even speak with Abdel Elah al-Khatib, the Jordanian politician and businessman who had a rocky term as UN envoy to Libya, complete with conflicts of interest, and then quit.

On February 9, the day after Ban told the media he had discussed a joint envoy with the Arab League's Nabil Elaraby, Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky when, in fact, Ban last spoke with al-Khatib. Nesirky said he found find out and answer the question, but four days later has not.

Al-Khatib never disclosed nor stopped his business activities, which Inner City Press showed included links to a Gaddafi-affiliated bank in Libya, while serving as envoy. He demanded private jets and made UN staff assigned to help him cry, from abuse. Then he was eased out by current UN envoy Ian Martin, and quit -- all this according to well placed sources in the UN Department of Political Affairs, and then unconvincingly denied.

This would be the UN - Arab League envoy to Syria? First, Ban or his spokesman should have to answer these questions, including the one for which an answer was promised four days ago.

From the UN's February 9 transcript:

Inner City Press: one follow-up on this issue of an envoy. The name of Al-Khatib has resurfaced, who was obviously the Envoy to Libya, and so I just wondered when, if you can say — I know that the Secretary-General visited Jordan recently — have there been any contacts with Mr. Al-Khatib, or some people saw it as that, sort of a something of a failed endeavour. Have they… are they still in contact? Does Mr. Al-Khatib have any advisory or other role with the UN, or did that end abruptly and not… did they speak when he was in Jordan, just as one example?

Spokesperson Martin Nesirky: I’m not sure which part of the question to answer at this point.

Inner City Press: How does it stand between Ban Ki-moon and his previous Envoy to a crisis in Libya? When is the last time they spoke?

Spokesperson Nesirky: I’d have to check on that particular point. As for the League of Arab States proposal, as you will have heard me say, this was a proposal from them, and we are waiting to hear more details. Therefore, it doesn’t seem appropriate to put the cart before the horse. But on your particular question about the last interaction, let me find out.

We're still waiting. Watch this site.

Ban Floats Syria Envoy, In Wake of Al Khatib Fiasco, No Questions on Lavrov or Silva

By Matthew Russell Lee, News View

UNITED NATIONS, February 8 -- After telling the Security Council about his recent trips, including to Gaza where he was protested and had shoes thrown at him for not meeting with the families of prisoners, Ban Ki-moon emerged and told the media he is discussing a joint observer mission and envoy to Syria with the Arab League.

Ban's envoy to Libya, Jordanian businessman and senator Abdel-Elah Mohamed Al Khatib, flew around on private planes, replete with potential conflicts of interest until he was unceremoniously separately from the UN.

It is not clear if on Ban's recent trip to Jordan he sought out his former envoy. Inquiring minds want to know: where is Al Khatib now? And has Ban learned anything from that failure, if and when he ever actually appoints an envoy to Syria?

Even Western-side diplomats expressed skepticism to Inner City Press. It doesn't seem very well thought out, one said, referring back to the Al Khatib "fiasco." One wondered of a reverse "dream team" of Al Khatib and Observer chief Al Daby of Sudan.

Let's see what the Arab League says on Sunday, added another, opining that Ban should not have "blabbed" his call with Nabil Elaraby of the Arab League so quickly.

Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky chose who could ask the four questions, naming two at a time. No question involved, for example, what Ban thought of Russian foreign minister Lavrov's trip to Syria, which was presented in the meeting with Ban, much less when Ban knew that the US Mission in South Sudan had no military helicopters, before "hundreds" were killed in Pibor in Jonglei state or why he is accepting alleged war criminal Shavendra Silva as a "Senior Adviser on Peacekeeping," despite Silva's appearance in Ban's own Panel of Experts' report on Sri Lanka. [We will have an update on Ban and Silva.]

The first question on Syria, at least it was assumed to be about Syria, was whether President "Bashir" should step down. Omar al Bashir is the president of Sudan, with whom Ban's envoy Ibrahim Gambari recently took pictures, despite Bashir being indicted by the International Criminal Court for genocide.

Interestingly, the Secretariat air brushed this gaffe in its transcript. But they can't change the video - or can they?

Bashar al Assad of Syria, meanwhile, remains in power in Syria. Ban named a UN system task force on Syria headed by a former minister of Yemen dictator Ali Saleh, something Ban's spokesman said he would look into and confirm or deny but hasn't. Then he ensures that Ban himself can't be asked. This is Ban's UN. Watch this site.

At UN on Libya, As Khatib Resigns, TNC Wins Credential, Dabbashi No Vote Hope Dashed, SADC Deferral Rejected

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, September 16 -- The UN was loudly abuzz with Libya on Friday morning, while more quietly former mediator Al Khatib submitted a letter of resignation, sources told Inner City Press.

The General Assembly met on giving Libya's seat to the Transitional National Council, over the objection of Venezuela and other members of the Grupo ALBA. As the meeting began, Inner City Press asked TNC representative Ibrahim Dabbashi about ALBA calling a vote. "I hope not," Dabbashi said, going into the GA.

Moment later, Cuba's Permanent Representative said that NATO violated Resolution 1973 and Cuba does not recognize the TNC, product of "foreign intervention." Bolivia echoed the sentiment, noting "racism" in developments under the TNC.

Nicaragua's representative said her country "threw off the yoke of Somoza," but here NATO violated Resolution 1973 pushing for regime change "in the guise of protecting civilians."

Angola then pointed out that the rules require that requests for credentials be made by heads of state, heads of government or foreign minister, and ask who had made the request here? The new President of the General Assembly, from Qatar, said there should be two speakers on each side of this and a vote.

The Egyptian Permanent Representative, the same one who represented Mubarak, spoke in favor of the TNC. Zambia seconded Angola's motion; Gabon went on the other side.

When the vote was called, Angola's motion to defer lost with 22 in favor (including not only the ALBAs but also Indonesia, Congo and others), 107 against, and 12 abstentions. St. Vincent and the Grenadine spoke afterward, saying it abstained and that it and its sub-region have not recognized the TNC.

Then the TNC was given the credential, with 114 in favor, 15 abstentions and 17 against including the DRC and Equatorial Guinea, whose golden glasses Permanent Representative spoke afterward.

The Security Council scheduled a 3 pm meeting to vote on creating the UN Support Mission to Libya, modifying the arms embargo - but keeping the no fly zone in place. South African Permanent Representative Baso Sangqu told Inner City Press there are still problems -- not enough to protect African migrants, for example. But other Ambassadors said it was all systems go.

And, Inner City Press learned, former mediator Al Khatib has submitted a letter of resignation, after being frozen out. We'll have more on this.