In UN Musical Chairs, No Revolving Door Rules for Gambari & Yonis, Tarranco to Iraq for Kobler, Shunned by al-Maliki?

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, June 25 -- Alongside the Middle East and Syria briefing in the UN Security Council Tuesday by Oscar Fernandez Taranco, a game of musical chairs was taking place.

  Fernandez Tarranco, sources tell Inner City Press, is being asked to take over the Iraq envoy post being vacated by Martin Kobler, who is replacing Roger Meece in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

  The swirl was set off when Iraq's Al-Maliki stopped meaningfully communicating with Kobler, the sources tell Inner City Press. “You can't be an SRSG like that,” one said, using UN-ese for Special Representative of the Secretary General.

  Meanwhile at Tuesday's UN noon briefing, Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's deputy spokesperson Eduardo Del Buey if there are any anti-revolving door rules applicable to former UN officials.

  Inner City Press is told that after Ibrahim Gambari lost out to head the Organization for the Islamic Cooperation -- “they summoned the African candidates and told them they were going with a Saudi,” a source said -- he's hooking up as a paid consultant to Qatar. Any rules?

  And, less of a conflict because for his own country, what about Mohamed Yonis going from being Gambari's deputy at UNAMID in Darfur to now being named Somaliland's foreign minister? (Tweeted by the Free UN Coalition for Access, here.)

  Del Buey said he would look into it. But his office has said that before. Inner City Press on June 10 asked for confirmation that Ban's Great Lakes envoy Mary Robinson had hired Frederico Borello. Still there has been no answer, while Rwandan Ambassador Richard Gasana tells Inner City Press that it is true. Watch this site.

UN Ignores Darfur E-mail, Stonewalls on Yemen Check, Cote d'Ivoire Report & Bibi "Leak"

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 13 -- A full day after UN staff in Darfur were told that Ibrahim Gambari had been replaced, and Inner City Press had exclusively reported itthen asked for confirmation, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's deputy spokesman at Monday's noon briefing replied that "to the best of my knowledge," Gambari is still in charge.

  Five hours later, no clarification was received. Is there a Darfur power struggle? It would seem important to clarify this.

 But the UN often has its own reasons to leave things vague, to not answer questions or to answer questions other than those asked.

  Also on Monday, Inner City Press asked about a UN investigation into allegations its peacekeepers did nothing amid killings near Duekoue in Cote d'Ivoire. 

  Five hours later, the UN replied, but about an entirely different report of a full year earlier. Inner City Press immediately reiterated and further explained its question, so far without answer.

  Then there is the run-around. Last week Inner City Pressran an exclusive story about Yemen's June 20 check to the UN for over $200,000 in dues bouncing for non-sufficient funds, such that Yemen could not vote on the Syria resolution in the General Assembly on August 3. Inner City Press published the check.

  The first two times Inner City Press asked the UN about it, the response was they'd check into it. Third time is NOT the charm: when Inner City Press reiterated the questions on Monday, deputy spokesman Eduardo Del Buey said only the President of the General Assembly's spokesperson could answer.

  This spokesperson replied, "please ask the Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts in the Department of Management." That is part of the Secretariat. So why didn't the Secretariat's spokespeople, to whom the question has now been put for the fourth time, just answer it in the first place?

Then there is the nearly Kafkaesque (non) answer that "you have your answer." Inner City Press asked:

Inner City Press: on this reported trip to Iran. There’s an article in Haaretz, saying that Benjamin Netanyahu quoted from his conversation with Ban Ki-moon, and he quotes Martin [Nesirky] saying, "Ban is not in the habit of referring to private phone conversations with foreign leaders." So, can you explain a bit? Because we do get these readouts of calls — you know, they’ll put a readout saying that Ban Ki-moon spoke to X and Y — so what’s different about what happened with Netanyahu?

Deputy Spokesperson: You have the explanation right there, Matthew. Next question?

Inner City Press: Oh, because he said it was private in advance? That’s what I’m wondering.

Deputy Spokesperson: You have your answer.

   What? In fairness, one of Inner City Press' five questions on Monday was answered thusly before 5 pm:

Inner City Press: I saw that there were these comments by the Secretary-General, after he met with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, about how the two sides should work together. And I just wondered, during this trip, did he ask to meet with anyone from the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] side? And when was the last time he met with a DPRK official? If he’s calling on both sides, is he attempting to speak to both sides?

Deputy Spokesperson: I’ll have to find out when the last time he spoke to a DPRK official was. I don’t have that information with me right now, no.

  But at 5 pm on Monday, the following was provided:

As for your question on the last meeting between the Secretary-General and a DPRK official, the Secretary-General met Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Pak Gil Yon on 28 September 2011 at UN Headquarters.

 It's appreciated. So what is the batting average? Watch this site.

From Darfur, Gambari Is Gone, Without Explanation of Mansion, OIC or Qatar By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive UNITED NATIONS, August 13 -- When last he came to the Security Council in New York, Ibrahim Gambari asked Inner City Press about its exposure of his $600,000 mansion in Darfur, and promised to soon provide an explanation. He didn't provide that explanation, nor answer Inner City Press' questions about his next move, either replacing the Turkish chief of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) or become another tool in Qatar's Doha warehouse, as an advisor to the royal family about Africa. Now without explanation he is gone. The information went out within the UN by e-mail, as a last article about Gambari in Sudan was still the most recent: Subject: Acting Head of UNAMID and the Joint Mediation ad interim From: UNAMID [ ] To: UNAMID STAFF Date: August 12, 2012 9:58:57 CDT Please be informed that Ms. Aichatou Mindaoudou Souleymane, has been appointed Acting Head of UNAMID and the Joint Mediation ad interim until otherwise advised by UN-HQ. She has also been appointed as Designated Official for security for Darfur. Kindly extend your usual support and cooperation to Ms. Mindaoudou. Thank you. Please note that this broadcast message supersedes the previous message on the same subject matter. It's a billion dollar peacekeeping mission that couldn't even protect civilians in the Kassam camp, nor Kutum, as Inner City Press asked last week. So who's next? Watch this site.

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By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive

UNITED NATIONS, August 13 -- When last he came to the Security Council in New York, Ibrahim Gambari asked Inner City Press about its exposure of his $600,000 mansion in Darfur, and promised to soon provide an explanation.

  He didn't provide that explanation, nor answer Inner City Press' questions about his next move, either replacing the Turkish chief of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) or become another tool in Qatar's Doha warehouse, as an advisor to the royal family about Africa.

  Now without explanation he is gone. The information went out within the UN by e-mail, as a last article about Gambari in Sudan was still the most recent:

Subject: Acting Head of UNAMID and the Joint Mediation ad interim
From: UNAMID [ ]
To: UNAMID STAFF
Date: August 12, 2012 9:58:57 CDT

Please be informed that Ms. Aichatou Mindaoudou Souleymane, has been appointed Acting Head of UNAMID and the Joint Mediation ad interim until otherwise advised by UN-HQ. She has also been appointed as Designated Official for security for Darfur. Kindly extend your usual support and cooperation to Ms. Mindaoudou. Thank you. Please note that this broadcast message supersedes the previous message on the same subject matter.

  It's a billion dollar peacekeeping mission that couldn't even protect civilians in the Kassam camp, nor Kutum, as Inner City Press asked last week. So who's next? Watch this site.

UN Complaints of Gambari's Shirking of Retreat, $620000 on Mansion, End?

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive

UNITED NATIONS, May 21 -- When the UN paid for its far-flung envoys to travel to New York for a retreat at the Greentree estate last week, many were surprised and angry that Darfur envoy Ibrahim Gambari appeared only briefing, for the photo op and conclusion, and otherwise "did personal business" in New York.

  As exclusively reported by Inner City Press on February 3, Gambari spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to build himself a "hard shell on the hill" estate in the UN's El Fasher peacekeeping camp. As peacekeeping budget missions are now reviewed in the UN's Fifth (Budget) Committee, Inner City Press has be informed by whistleblowers of the full cost: $620,000.

  They opine, in Press style, that "how many IDPs could be sheltered in this sumptuous, air-conditioned dwelling, fifty? A hundred? Not bad for an occasional residence, no? 

Particularly since it was neither planned nor budgeted. Where did the money come from? Guess those poor blighters of staff members will have to wait a bit more for the improved accommodations and life enhancing welfare facilities this money was earmarked for. Tough questions may be asked at budget discussions."

  Now, attendees at the SRSG retreat say that Gambari "has resigned, sensing he wouldn't be renewed," based on these spending scandals. But why use UN resources to come to New York and then miss most of the retreat? 

 

  Several other attendees complained at "how little some of these new Ban Ki-moon SRSGs know," not only about the countries they have been assigned to, but even thematic topics. "Things are going to the dogs," as one attendee put it. Watch this site.

Darfur "Mansion" of Gambari Decried By Whistleblowers, Qatar Conflict?

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive

UNITED NATIONS, February 3 -- What is it with Ibrahim Gambari and photographs?

In the wake of photos of Gambari's greeting International Criminal Court indictee Omar al Bashir, which the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman in New York first claimed not to have seen, then defended to Inner City Press, then weakly said "avoid in future," new photographs have been sent to Inner City Press.

These involve the so-called "Hardshell on the Hill" mansion that Gambari had built for himself with UN funds in the El Fasher Supercamp in Darfur.

In Hardshell on the Hill: a reality TV show called Darfur Cribs?

The set of photographs, only some of which are published here so far, arrived with this cover note from a whistleblowing source, also stating for example that when Gambari travels to Doha, the Qatar government pays for his "seven star" hotel and car. Could that be a conflict of interest?

The source stated:

I saw that you recently had an interest in pictures of I. Gambari, UNAMID JSR. You may then like the ones attached. These are of the fully-equipped, fully-furnished Hardwall On The Hill residence built for Gambari in El Fasher Supercamp. Nothing to do with the prefab, containers and tents in which some staff live. Pity that this posh abode is not much used by the absentee overlord of El Fasher on account of his constant flying around on 'official' travel. Presently in Addis, busy lobbying some AU head of states / delegations, like Djbouti, Rwanda and a few others, with the assist of Qatar, so they'd ask Ban to extend him, as some Member States want him out. Although some had predicted the dear Professor's departure for last July, he is still hanging in there. Spent so much of his time at HQ, sucking up to whoever could keep him in that almost never used house on the hill that SG floor's staff have nicknamed him "The Supplicant". As to the house, it would be interesting to know how much did it cost and how was it paid for (pictures of business jet and IDP shelters not shown). Watch this space.

The final lines, yes, follow the Inner City Press style book.

Hardshell compound and UNAMID vehicles: the house on the hill

So Inner City Press asked some questions,to a variety of sources, receiving in return confirmations and for example the following:

Jet is part of mission budget... Heard of monthly payment of $300,000 flying or not +flight hours and fuel. House on the hill staff are regular Nigerian military personnel, doing his cleaning, cooking, serving, etc. Relations with Qatar, very cozy. Seven star hotel treatment when in Doha, hotel tab and car and all expenses paid.

That would sure seem to present the possibility of additional conflicts of interest.

Cama de Gambari? Reality TV show not shown

Inner City Press has a question pending concerning Qatar and conflicts: watch this site.

UN Tells Gambari to Avoid Partying with Bashir in Future, After Week of Press Questions

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, February 1 -- After Ibrahim Gambari, Joint UN - African Union envoy to Darfur, took pictures with Omar al-Bashir, indicted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and war crimes, Inner City Press published them and three times last week asked UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky to state UN policy for dealing with ICC indictees, and if Gambari's actions complied with UN policy.

After Nesirky on January 26 forwarded only Gambari's defense of the interaction with an ICC indictee, which cited "African traditions," on February 1 Inner City Press asked him again.

Nesirky first asked if Inner City Press wanted to quote Gambari's whole answer, which is below, then answered that "Mr. Gambari's attention has been drawn... to the need to avoid such encounters in future, how ever unintentional this particular encounter may have been."

It is unclear when and by whom Gambari's "attention" was drawn " to the need to avoid such encounters in future." It is clear, how ever, that Nesirky did not announce it at the beginning of "his" noon briefing on Wednesday, nor inform Inner City Press, which had three times asked about it, before the briefing.

Inner City Press has asked for Nesirky to provide the UN policy on dealing with ICC indictees, since for example the UN has provided air transportation for Bashir's fellow indictee Ahmed Harun, to meet with the very type of militias in Abyei that he is accused of organizing for war crimes in Darfur, the janjaweed.

Nesirky has yet to provide the policy, but from the sequence here it appears to be to "limits interactions with individuals indicted by international tribunals to 'what is strictly required for carrying out UN mandated activities'" and specifically in Sudan that "interactions of a ceremonial nature with President Al-Bashir should be avoided, including courtesy calls, receptions, photo opportunities, attendance at national day celebrations and so on."

In this case, it was at a reception to celebrate the wedding of Chad's president Idriss Deby with the daughter of janjaweed leader Musa Hilal that Gambari greeted ICC indictee Bashir.

Before his belated answer on February 1, on January 26 Nesirky told Inner City Press that "the ICC is an independent judicial institution. And it needs to be able to carry out its work in an independent fashion. And so I don’t think that it is appropriate to comment further on cases that are being looked at and in the judicial process already."

Inner City Press asked, "can you see why the Gambari photo creates some confusion? Attending a wedding ceremony is hard to describe as a humanitarian gesture."

Later, Nesirky's office sent Inner City Press the following:

Subject: Your question on JSR Gambari
From: UN Spokesperson - Do Not Reply [at] un.org
Date: Thu, Jan 26, 2012 at 1:02 PM
To: Matthew Russell Lee [at] innercitypress.com

The Departement for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) advises the following: JSR Gambari attended the wedding at the invitation of President Deby of Chad, who is an important regional partner in the peace process. JSR Gambari had no control over the guest list and it is contrary to basic diplomatic courtesy and African traditions to ignore greeting other invited guests.

So it appeared that the UN system's policy on engagement with individuals indicted by the ICC for genocide has a "wedding reception" or even "African traditions" exception. It's worth noting, as the Sudanese Mission to the UN confirmed to Inner City Press apparently proudly, that Idriss Deby wasn't even AT the reception. But Gambari went anyway, and greeted Bashir.

The Enough Project cited "dogged reporting by Inner City Press" as "finally compelling" the UN's response.

But should it have to be so dogged, asking Ban's spokesman four times without getting any updates, as on so many matters?

The UN's policy on dealing with ICC indicted individuals is in the purview of Ban's head of Legal Affairs Patricia O'Brien, who has repeatedly refused to answer press questions. This is Ban's UN - watch this site.

Footnote: it appears that the fact that Gambari greeted Bashir, and that photos existed, did not move Ban's UN, at least as of January 26. Nesirky on February 1 answered Inner City Press that a letter was received from Human Rights Watch "last week," and was brought to Gambari's attention.

Again, when? Has Ban "outsourced" his conscience to HRW, which declined to describe or even summarize its meeting with him last year, then largely praised him last month? Did the facts move Ban, or the letter from a group now apparently seen by Team Ban as friendly?

Some wonder if HRW will publicly chime in on Ban accepting as his Senior Adviser on Peacekeeping Operations the Sri Lankan General Shavendra Silva, named in Ban's own Panel of Experts report on Sri Lanka as shelling hospitals and playing a role in the killing of those seeking to surrender?

And why doesn't Ban's Spokesperson's Office provide updated answers, including prospectively on this, when what they previously publicly said is not longer true?