After UN Denial, Boumedra Tells ICP Kobler Chose Photos, Dropped Inquiry

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 24 -- Two days ago the UN was asked by Inner City Press about the statement by former UN Mission in Iraq human rights officer TaharBoumedra that current Special Representative of the Secretary General in Iraq Martin Kobler told him to only send out "positive photographs" and to "falsify reports" about Camp Ashraf.

  

Yesterday the UN denied it.

  

 Now, Mr. Boumedra has provided more detail to Inner City Press.

   In a 12 paragraph statement to Inner City Press, below, Boumedra specifies that it was the December 2011 photographs that Kobler cherry-picked, and Boumedra states that Kobler repeatedly told him that the residents of the camp were "terrorists."

   Boumedra says that a UN shelter specialists was pressured into declaring the facilities adequate. He says that a Memorandum of Understanding was watered down to drop reference to human rights law, and that Kobler stopped pushing for an inquiry into killings in the camp in early 2011.

  Back on August 22, Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky about Boumedra's claim that he was ordered to only take photographs of the positive things and essentially file inaccurate reports: "I've tried to get an answer from Mr. Kobler and others. Do they deny that these orders were given?"

Nesirky replied that "it’s regrettable that such a distorted picture is being presented of the efforts of the United Nations in Iraq to resolve peacefully the situation of Camp Ashraf," then that he'd "just go back to what’s already been said, and that’s that it is a distorted picture." Video herefrom Minute 46.

  

 But, Inner City Press asked, what is the UN saying is distorted: the picture of conditions in the camp, or the claim that a UN official, previously in charge of human rights, was told to "doctor" reports?

  On August 23, the UN provided a more direct denial, which Inner City Press immediately added as an update, that

"Matthew, You asked specifically about allegations by a former staff member of misleading use of photos or 'doctoring' of reports in connection with the work of the UN on Camp Ashraf. We would like to state very clearly that such allegations are false."

  Inner City Press published the UN's denial, but subsequently received a direct reply from Boumedra:

Date: Thu, Aug 23, 2012 at 7:29 PM
From: Tahar Boumedra
To: Inner City Press

I hereby reiterate and confirm:

1. That SRSG has instructed us to doctor the photos taken in December 2011 for the purpose of convincing Ashraf residents that Camp liberty meets international standards. A large number of UNAMI staff were involved in this operation under the lead of the UNAMI Public Information Office.

2. Together with PIO, HRO, Military advisors, photos were taken and the SRSG in person made the selection.

3. I was the person who delivered the SRSG message to the Ashrafis in December 2011. The message was written by the SRSG himself. It was written to basically say it is all well in 

Camp Liberty and you must trust me.

4. SRSG repeatedly said to the residents of Ashraf and their representatives in Paris that he will never sign any document on the relocation without the agreement of the Ashrafis then he signed despite of the protest of Ashrafis and their leadership.

5. SRSG repeatedly said he is an impartial facilitator, yet he deals with the residents on the presumption that they are guilty of terrorism. Whenever I raised concern about the residents fundamental human rights, he reminds me that they are terrorists.

6. A shelter specialist was brought in, to certify that Camp Liberty meets international standards because the UNHCR wouldn't do it. The SRSG reminded him on a daily basis that he is there to certify. When the specialist refused to certify, an agreed ambiguous text was issues by the SRSG saying the infrastructure of CL meets the needs of the population of Ashraf.

7. Earlier drafts of the MOU had a preamble stating the purpose of the relocation and making reference to international law, human rights law and Iraqi international obligations. The Government of Iraq (GoI) refused such reference. We compromised on the instruction of the SRSG by removing the MOU preamble and inserted a clause to the effect that GoI will not recognize the outcome of the UNHCR refugee status determination process without the knowledge of the Ashrafis and the diplomatic community.

8. The Iraqi authorities declared openly that we will make their life "unbearable" to compel them to leave Iraq. National Security Adviser say openly and repeatedly that GoI will not observe UN human rights and humanitarian standards in relation to the Ashraf residents. UNAMI reports to the SG and the SC that the GOI is treating the Ashrafis humanely and is upholding its international obligations.

9. On 15 April 2011, UNAMI under the leadership of Former SRSG Ad Melkert and the HCHR issued a statement requesting the GoI to establish an independent commission of inquiry to probe into the killing of 36 Ashrafis. Throughout this relocation process, SRSG Kobler had never mentioned the establishment of the commission of inquiry for fear of upsetting PM Maliki. Yet we report that GoI is meeting its international obligations.

10. The diplomatic community, lawyers, MEPs, MPs, NGOs are banned from visiting both Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty, except Consular visits (visits to nationals and affiliated residents). This an indication that things are not as positive as SRSG Kobler wants to present them. Yet we do not hear any protest from the diplomatic community . While SRSG reports that there are visits of diplomats.

11. Ashrafis in both Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty despite the restrictions imposed on their contacts with the outside world, are providing for themselves and pay the market price. SRSG reports make it as if the GOI is providing for them and that they are getting more than the average Iraqi citizen. this misleading.

12. If the UN HQ is questioning my statements or have doubts about them, I invite them to send an independent person or persons to investigate and look into the real objectives of the relocation plan. I worn that the objectives are more cynical than what has been reported.

Tahar Boumedra

   So, Boumedra now specifies that it was the December 2011 photographs that Kobler cherry-picked, and states that Kobler repeatedly told him that the residents of the camp were "terrorists." 

  He says that a UN shelter specialists was pressured into declaring the facilities adequate. He says that a Memorandum of Understanding was watered down to drop reference to human rights law, and that Kobler stopped pushing for an inquiry into killings in the camp in early 2011.

   What does the UN say? Watch this site.

Two Weeks After Mbeki, UN SC Still Stalled on Sudans, Playground Moves

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 23 -- Two full weeks after Thabo Mbeki briefed the 

UN Security Council about Sudan and South Sudan, the Council still  has not been able to agree on a Presidential Statement about the situation.

  On August 23, a BRICS deputy told Inner City Press that the problem is that one member is intent on supporting only one side.  Another scoffed that the initial draft was so unbalanced, it took two weeks and "still nothing." But "don't forget the holidays," another said, in defense of the delay.

  Among the disputes is how to characterize aerial bombardments, and whether the Statement should criticize Khartoum for not "accepting Mbeki's map." 

  A Sudanese representative on August 16 told Inner City Press Sudan had four supporters, including Azerbaijan, and even that French Ambassador Gerard Araud, this month's Council president, was critical of another Permanent member's "playground" approach.

  Mid-day on August 23, Inner City Press asked Araud, what about the PRST, the Presidential Statement? He said that some members feel it is taking too long, and that there would be a consultation of Deputy Permanent Representatives in the afternoon.

  The playground continues to expanding, both in space and time. 

  At 3 pm on August 23 they filed in, the DPRs of France and Russia, Morocco and Pakistan, and all the rest. 

  Past 4 pm, a South Sudanese representative came out of the quiet room and predicted to Inner City Press, there will not be anything today. 

  Others said to be hopeful; one said, only a PRST if it is a good one.

   There is a difference, it is pointed out, between demilitarizing a zone and agreeing on a final border.

  On August 15 Security Council experts met on the stalled draft in the Council's consultation room. On August 16 experts wandering the North Lawn told Inner City Press they were still working on it. Talks were said to be bilateral, with the expectation of "coming back together at a higher level" to make decisions on language still left open.

  And the Deputy Permanent Representative level meeting took a week to set up?

   Back on August 16, South African Permanent Representative Baso Sangqu told 

Inner City Press, it is important that the Council agree on a statement soon, so that the parties don't think the Security Council is divided.

  Well, the Security Council is divided.

  On August 15 when Inner City Press asked Araud about Darfur, he answered that the Council IS divided on this issue, as on Syria and Israel - Palestine. Sudan / South Sudan was supposed to be one of the issues on which the Council works together. So what's happening?

  Meanwhile, Japan's Toyota Tsusho Corporation has put in a $5 billion bid to build an oil pipeline linking South Sudan to the proposed Kenyan port of Lamu, bragged Dennis Awori, Chairman of Toyota Kenya Limited.

  When Japan sent a few people to the UN Mission in South Sudan UNMISS, the UN hyped it up and media covered it. But this is a more real and telling connection: follow the money. Watch this site.

UN Stonewalls on Recruiting Mai Mai, After Flew Harun, Shavendra Silva as Adviser

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 23 -- That the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo might want to recruit and further arm Mai Mai militia in North Kivu in an attempt to get the upper hand over the so-called M23 mutineers is one thing.

 But reports, not denied, of the involvement of the UN Mission in the Congo in both providing MONUSCO helicopter flights to such recruitment meetings, and taking part in them, again highlight how the UN has lost its way in the Congo.

 After nearly being thrown out of the country by President Joseph Kabila, the price for staying in has been to slavishly support the government and its often undisciplined army, the FARDC. 

 The UN had carried ammunition to FARDC for action of dubious efficacy or human rights compliance.

  But at least on paper the FARDC is a governmental entity of the type the UN works with. How could the UN get involved in recruiting one militia to fight another?

  At Thursday's noon briefing Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky precisely this question. Video here, from Minute 3:15.

  Nesirky in replying did not cite any UN rule about working or not working with armed militia; he said "I think I would need to refer you to DPKO... you might want to check with them."

 As previously noted, DPKO chief Herve Ladsous has said openly, twice on camera, that he will not answer any Inner City Press questions. Video here, at Minute 28:10. 

And Ladsous spokesman Kieran Dwyer reiterated this in writing, and on camera. Video here, Minute 6:50.

  But this is a question that should be answer: how can the UN be playing a role in recruit a militia that the UN itself has been highly critical of?

  In Sudan, the UN provided free helicopter flights to Ahmed Harun, indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, click here for one of Inner City Press' exposes on this.

  This year, Ban Ki-moon and Ladsous accepted as a Senior Adviser on Peacekeeping Operations the Sri Lankan general Shavendra Silva, whose battalion is depicted in Ban's own Panel of Experts report as engaged in war crimes. 

  Ladsous specifically refused to answer a question about Silva - this was the first time Ladsous said, "I will not answer questions" from Inner City Press. Video here, at Minute 28:10

  But in the Congo, the UN is going "hands on," reportedly flying to set up and participate in meetings to recruit what are, in essence, war criminals. How much lower can DPKO go, under Ladsous? How much more unaccountable can this UN become? Watch this site.

As UN Helps Recruit DRC Militias, All Roads Lead to Ladsous, Who Won't Answer

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 23 -- The UN seems to have hit a new low in the Democratic Republic of Congo, assisting the government to recruit dubious Mai Mai militias to join forces to fight the M23 mutineers.

   Inner City Press asked Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky about it on Thursday, but all he said was "ask DPKO," the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

   But DPKO chief Herve Ladsous has said openly, twice on camera, that he will not answer any Inner City Press questions. Video here, at Minute 28:10.

  Ladsous spokesman Kieran Dwyer reiterated this in writing, and on camera. Video here, Minute 6:50.

 So does this mean no answer to Press questions about DPKO, the UN's main presence in the world?

   There are other DPKO questions: can the Darfur mission, so often slow on the draw, confirm or deny the killing of 11 soldiers in Darfur?

   What does the UN Mission in South Sudan think of Ted Dagne having to flee Juba after writing about corruption?

   What about the reporting killing of civilians in Kismayo, Somalia by the Kenyan Navy, as part of the UN assisted (and funded) AMISON "peacekeeping" mission?

   In the past, Inner City Press would ask such questions at the noon briefing, and then later get an e-mailed response from the Office of the Spokesperson. For example, on the reported killing of civilians in Eastern Congo by Ladsous' (and Roger Meece's) MONUSCO mission, this belatedly came in:

Regarding your questions about the threat to civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we can say the following:

The clear and foremost new danger to civilians in North Kivu has been posed by the armed mutiny of the M23 movement, and its conduct of offensive military operations.

MONUSCO has engaged its troops, as necessary, in defence of communities and population centers targeted by these military operations, and to impede M23 actions threatening them. In doing so, the Mission takes extensive efforts to ensure minimal additional risk to civilians and to avoid harm from MONUSCO actions.

There is no evidence to date, directly or from partners, of civilian casualties resulting from MONUSCO actions in connection with the M23 offensives. The Mission would investigate credible reports in this regard by all means possible. Concerning claims by the M23 movement of civilian casualties as a result of MONUSCO actions, the Mission has followed up and has found many inaccuracies in the dates and places given by the M23 of MONUSCO actions.

   At first, after Inner City Press published the name of a reported victim, the UN replied that it couldn't go investigate because it was too dangerous. Now it says it "would investigate credible reports." So was no investigation every done?

   Ladsous should be asked. But would he answer?

   In other UN-answering news, an open letter to the UN from the genocide survivors' organization Ibuka, complaining about the writings on the FDLR of UN "expert" Steve Hege, has not been responded to. Watch this site.

UN Audit Slams UMOJA As Corporate Friends Hired, Pension Fund PWC Too

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 23 -- The UN's much-delayed Enterprise Resource Planning systems upgrade "UMOJA" has been plagued by nepotism and the hiring of friends from its inception.

   In 2010 Inner City Press exclusively exposed how Paul van Essche came in as head of the ERP at the D-2 level and immediately moved to bring in colleagues and friends from Geneva like Jon Solem, doctoring their Personal History Profiles to do so. Click here for that.

   Now, ostensibly to solve the problem, Ernesto Baca has been brought in, previously of the World Food Program and before that Telecom Argentina. 

  Strikingly, this is the same trajectory as Ban Ki-moon's current chief of staff Susana Malcorra. Perhaps those she is bringing in, like Mr. Graisse at the Department of General Assembly and Conference Management, are competent. 

 But what about the process? Weeks ago Inner City Press wrote and asked the UN if Ms. Malcorra recused herself from the process that brought in Graisse, so far without answer. How about Mr. Baca?

   Today's system is more and more shot through with these corporate conflicts of interest. At the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund, we find that former PriceWaterhouseCoopers consultant is now Chief Financial Officer at Pension Fund. What are the restrictions on such hiring from consultants?

   Meanwhile there a hole in the Pension Fund, which defenders call merely "actuarial." But the hole is big; now, retirement age is to be raised to 65 in 2014. How is accountable for under-performing the market? Who is accountable at the UN?

   In the interim, Inner City Press has obtained and is putting online the Board of Auditors report on UMOJA, here, including under-estimate of cost and lack of transparency. 

  A well placed source exclusive tells Inner City Press of UMOJA, "there was no software because the UN could not sign a contract with SAP. Later, the scope was drastically reduced. Bottom line is that the staffing table is bloated with D1 and P5s. Including posts seconded from other offices, there are 11 D1s and over 15 P5s for a staffing table of less than 100 people."

The UMOJA web site has a list of "Official Documents" -- but this audit is not among them. So here it is, for transparency. Watch this site.

From UN, South Koreans Choi & Kang To Go, Eyes on DGACM, Opaque

From UN, South Koreans Choi & Kang To Go, Eyes on DGACM, Opaque  

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive 

UNITED NATIONS, August 23, updated -- Citing the five year mobility rule of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Ban's fellow South Korea Choi Soon-hong is set to leave his Chief Information Technology Officer post at the UN. They are taking resumes for his replacement until September 17.    Sources tell Inner City Press Choi asked for a six month extension but was offered only three; he has decided to leave. Inner City Press asked about this at Thursday's noon briefing.    Meanwhile in Geneva another native of South Korea, deputy High Commission for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang, is also set to go. On this, resumes are being accepted until October 15.    And so insiders tell Inner City Press, there must be a South Korea Under Secretary General in the works, since two Assistant Secretaries General are leaving.    

There is only one high profile USG post left at UN Headquarters, the Department of General Assembly and Conference Management post currently held by a Belgian "acting" director Jean-Jacques Graisse who, as first reported by Inner City Press, was the one who brought Ban's current chief of staff Susana Malcorra into the World Food Program.   Graisse's UN "Biographical Note" states that "Mr. Graisse’s most recent position was as Senior Deputy Executive Director responsible for the World Food Program’s (WFP) multibillion-dollar emergency, development and logistics operations around the world."    Unstated but significant is that after Graisse took over in January 2004 as "Senior Deputy Executive Director (Operations Department)," in July 2004 he brought into WFP as Deputy Executive Director (Administration) Susana Malcorra.    He was named as "acting" head of DGACM rather than the position going on an interim basis to Franz Baumann. Other ascribed this to staff complaints against Baumann and austerity; others to the fact that Baumann is a candidate for this USG post.    But given recent moves, the sources say, watch for a South Korean native to get this post, combined with the Protocol post, a triple play or even clean sweep. Another asked, perhaps connected, all this to upgrade Kim Won-soo to USG?  

  For DGACM, resumes are accepted through September 10.     Inner City Press weeks ago asked the UN to state if Malcorra recused herself from the process by which Graise was put in at DGACM. So far, no answer.

 Watch this site.

As Boumedra Says Kobler Ordered False Reports in Iraq, UN Now Denies It: Whose Picture Is Distorted?

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 22, updated Aug 23, below -- Alongside disputes about conditions in Camp Liberty in Iraq, there is a more limited UN specific controversy.  

 What to make of the statement by former UN Mission in Iraq human rights officer Tahar Boumedra that current Special Representative of the Secretary General Martin Kobler told him to only send out "positive photographs," and more troublingly to "falsify reports"?

  Inner City Press has been seeking direct UN response to this allegation, from the head of the Mission, and from spokespeople in New York, and has yet to get one. [But see below, Update of August 23.]

  Here's from the public interchange at Wednesday's UN noon briefing, video here from Minute 46 --

Inner City Press: the former human rights official of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq says he was ordered by Martin Kobler to'doctor photographs and fabricate reports.' Is there a direct response to this man – and he’s described as a whistle-blower – his claim that he was ordered to only take photographs of the positive things and essentially file inaccurate reports. Does the UN deny that?

Spokesperson Martin Nesirky: it’s regrettable that such a distorted picture is being presented of the efforts of the United Nations in Iraq to resolve peacefully the situation of Camp Ashraf. And in fact, the UN Mission, under the leadership of Special Representative Martin Kobler, has worked diligently and impartially to facilitate a peaceful solution that respects the rights and concerns of both residents and the Government of Iraq... with regards to the conditions in Camp Houria, (Freedom), they have all the basics that they need and beyond. kitchens, a fully equipped gym, a mosque, several community centres, a medical centre staffed by two Iraqi doctors working in shifts, two ambulances on constant stand-by, and there’s bottled water brought in for residents, electricity from 19 generators, and residents have cell phone, Internet connection and satellite television.

Inner City Press: I'm even aware that one Security Council member said that people live better there than in their own country – the country of the Security Council member. But I just wanted to know, because it’s kind of a whistleblower case, he’s claiming that he was ordered to do things that he said were inconsistent with the UN Charter and his duty. Is there a response to sort of, that he was told to doctor these reports? Whether the satellite TV is working or not is a separate question — but, it’s strange; I’ve tried to get an answer from Mr. Kobler and others. Do they deny that these orders were given?

Spokesperson: I think I would just go back to what’s already been said, and that’s that it is a distorted picture.

  But what is the UN saying is distorted: the picture of conditions in the camp, or the claim that a UN official, previously in charge of human rights, was told to "doctor" reports?

  Kobler is back and forth between the camps. A knowledgeable person tells Inner City Press that while Boumedra WAS UNAMI's human rights officer, even under Kobler's predecessor Ad Melkert, he'd shifted to become adviser on Camp Ashraf.

  Is it acceptable, if it happened, for the UN to order such an official to doctor reports? We think not, and will keep asking. 

Update of August 23, 11:46 am -- and then this came in:

Subject: Re: Ashraf/UNAMI fact sheetFrom: Jared Kotler [at] un.org
Date: Thu, Aug 23, 2012 at 11:32 AM
To: Matthew Russell Lee [at] InnerCityPress.com

Matthew,  You asked specifically about allegations by a former staff member of misleading use of photos or “doctoring” of reports in connection with the work of the UN on Camp Ashraf.  We would like to state very clearly that such allegations are false.  

   Watch this site.

On Eve of Return to NY at 81, Brahimi's Jordan & Anti-Election Links Eyed

By Matthew Russell Lee, 1st in a series

UNITED NATIONS, August 22 -- With Lakhdar Brahimi on his way to the UN in New York, already some bad-mouthing of him has started. The opposition's critique is not only of his statement that it's too early for him to say that Assad must go, but is more fundamental.

  "Wasn't he part of annulling the Islamists' electoral victory in Algeria?" one source pointedly asked.

  Another pointed out Brahimi's connection by daughter's marriage high into Jordan's royal family.

   Inner City Press, which has pointed out that contrary to wire and then other reports Brahimi is NOT a "Nobel Peace laureate" was itself corrected, for having said Brahimi is 78.

  "He's 81," a source said, noting that in 2004 Brahimi presented himself in Iran as being 73 years old. Once this is confirmed, as the Nobel Foundation confirmed to Inner City Press that Brahimi is NOT a Nobel Peace laureate, we will have more.

   So why did Brahimi take the job? One source said, "These guys just can't stand to give up power, even if it is only the UN kind of power." 

  It was predicted Brahimi will try for a smaller team than Annan, perhaps keeping on Ahmad Fawzi and trying to place three or four people in Damascus. That, like after his meeting with Francois Hollande, he will now present himself as in the "listening mode."

   And that it is late, too late, for a mediated solution. "This will be decided," a well placed UN source said, "on the ground."

   The problem is that there are many, many armed groups in the opposition, he said. There's an Al Qaeda-like movement; there's the Muslim Brotherhood, supported by Egypt and Qatar. And then there are 200 groups, who control areas here and there and will not bow down to any Syrian outside. So even if a deal is cut, "these guys won't stop."

   "This will be a failure for the UN," the UN source concluded. "It will be seen as weak and ineffectual. Ban Ki-moon is trying to avoid the fall-out by appointing one high profile envoy after another, and letting them take the heat." The source paused and then marveled, "It's actually pretty smart." 

  These are some views; there are others. Watch this site.

Brahimi Nears NY, Grumbles from German +1, Nobel Peace Laureate Follies

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 22 -- As the UN's first envoy to Syria Kofi Annan quietly starts his final lame duck week in the post, his replacement Lakhdar Brahimi is slated to arrive in New York tomorrow. 

   The non P5 Council members are said not to be happy. When Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin on August 16 announced a meeting the next day of the P5 and some non-Council members, Germany is said have requested that if the meeting took place -- Germany would not be included -- they quickly report back to the full Security Council.

  Ultimately that meeting didn't take place; sources say that the US and United Kingdom were the most adamant about not attending, Turkey less so.

  But what will Brahimi say? He seems to have made peace with Damascus, after being criticized for calling the situation a civil war in one of his many interviews. 

   Wednesday morning in front of the Security Council when Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari was asked about the comment, he said "it's the media, he was misinterpreted." If you say so.

   Another mis-statement, or mis-report ("it is the media") has yet to be corrected. Brahimi was deemed by a wire service to be a "Nobel Peace laureate." The Nobel Foundation has written to Inner City Press that Brahimi should not thusly be referred to.

  There has been no retraction. One of the other media that ran the erroneous report has written back:

"Your complaint has been noted, and will be forwarded to the relevant department for their 

consideration. We thank you for making use of our services."

  It's not a "complaint" -- it's that the published report that Brahimi is a "Nobel Peace laureate" has been disavowed by the Nobel Foundation itself. The media, which we'll hold off on naming, has been asked to say what is ultimately done. Watch this site.