At
UN's World Bee Day Claim of
Benefiting Charity Disproved
As Gifts of Honey UNseen
By Matthew
Russell Lee, Periscope
UNITED NATIONS,
May 24 – When the UN belatedly
celebrated World Bee Day on
May 24, they bragged that the
hives they established on the
UN's North Lawn produce 250
pounds of honey a year. Inner
City Press asked at the noon
briefing, Where does the honey
go?
The General
Assembly President's spokesman
said he had anticipated Inner
City Press asking that so had
inquired. He said that
contrary to what had been
earlier said, that the honey
would be sold in the UN gift
shop with the proceeds to a
charity, that had not
occurred. Inner City Press
went to the North Lawn
Slovenian sponsored bee event
in the afternoon, complete
with biodegradable flutes of
champagne, and asked one of
the beekeepers, who said “We
do something with the UN.” But
what? Video here.
Later the
PGA's Office emailed Inner
City Press, "The original idea
was for the honey to be sold
with the proceeds given to a
non-profit which supports
sustainable apiaries in
developing countries.
Currently, however, the honey
is not being sold but rather
given out as gifts." Inner
City Press replied, "Thanks
but I have to ask: the 250
pounds of honey is being given
out as gifts by who? To whom?
At the event today there were
some sample containers but
nowhere near 250 pounds.So
where else has it been given
out, and by who?" Hours later
it is still not clear. The
PGA's Office in its subsequent
summary said "the hives are
managed by the United Nations
Office of Central Support
Services." So Secretary
General Antonio Guterres'
spokesman Stephane Dujarric,
who stonewalls questions about
nepotism, corruption and
sexual harassment cover ups,
is in charge? Watch this site.
Follow the
honey. Or, take the honey and
run. Secretary General Antonio
Guterres is, typically, away.
But PGA Miroslav Lajcak gave a
speech, saying he was glad it
was outside so the bees could
attend. He said the lesson to
be learned from bees is that
they are industrious and
patriotic. Earlier in the day
the North Korea - US talks
were cancelled, at least for
now. The chief beekeeper said
he is “installing” a Slovenian
queen to take over the the
previous Italian regime. Sort
of like the split or shared
Security Council seat of
Italy, one wag buzzed. One
final lesson: don't stand
between bees and their hive.
***
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