In Other Media-eg New Statesman, AJE, FP, Georgia, NYT,  Azerbaijan, CSM Click here to contact us     .

By Matthew Russell Lee, Vine, Periscope

UNITED NATIONS, July 16 – A week after Inner City Press on Libya asked the UN about General Haftar's moves on Derna, it was reported there that the "UN" envoy named by Secretary General Antonio Gutrres, Ghassan Salame, refused to meet with people in Derna because Egypt, the UAE and France did not want him too. Salame was largely selected / placed in the position by France; Egypt backs Haftar. The UAE bought the UN's previous envoy Bernardino Leon. This is today's UN. And this: Guterres' UN Security forcibly ousted Inner City Press from the UN on June 22 and July 3, and Guterres has banned Inner City Press from the UN since July 5. Fox News story here, GAP blogs I and II. Inner City Press has informed, among others, this month's Security Council presidency Swede, which said it will speak with Guterres' censor in chief Alison Smale; so far nothing but this, agreed / updated Press Elements of the Council on July 16: "Members of the Security Council welcomed the briefing from the SRSG and expressed full support for his efforts.
 

Members of the Security Council welcomed the announcement that Libya’s National Oil Corporation is resuming its work on behalf of all Libyans. We condemned the attacks by Ibrahim Jadhran against the oil infrastructure and stressed that the international community now expects the NOC to continue its work unimpeded.
 
We noted the importance the SRSG attached to increasing the transparency of Libya’s economic institutions and invited him to submit early proposals taking into account this dialogue with all the parties. 
 
We expressed continued concern at the humanitarian situation, especially in Derna, and called on all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law.

We underlined support for the UN-facilitated, Libyan-owned political process, including continued implementation of the UN Action Plan and the preparations for credible and inclusive elections." We'll have more on this. On June 18, Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: In Libya, there's a lot of fighting in the Oil Crescent, and it seems that some large oil facilities are on fire in Ra's Lanuf.  So, I'm wondering, given Mr. [Ghassan] Salamé… seems like it's both an environmental as well as a political… pretty much of a crisis.  What's the UN system doing about these burning oil tanks…?

Spokesman:  "I did not get an update from Libya today." Oh - is that all the UN spokesman's job is, beyond evicting and restricting the Press that asks? The next days, nothing from Dujarric except more cutting off of questions by calling on favored scribes, and from the UN an ouster of Inner City Press, video here, story here. Now this on June 27 - not from the UN which has an envoy, but from the US, UK, Italy and France: "The governments of France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States are deeply concerned about the announcement that the Ras Lanuf and Sidra oil fields and facilities will be transferred to the control of an entity other than the legitimate National Oil Corporation.  Libya’s oil facilities, production, and revenues belong to the Libyan people.  These vital Libyan resources must remain under the exclusive control of the legitimate National Oil Corporation and the sole oversight of the Government of National Accord (GNA), as outlined in UN Security Council Resolutions 2259 (2015), 2278 (2016), and 2362 (2017).  UN Security Council Resolution 2362 (2017) condemns attempts to illicitly export petroleum, including crude oil and refined petroleum products, from Libya by parallel institutions which are not acting under the authority of the GNA. Any attempts to circumvent the UN Security Council’s Libya sanctions regime will cause deep harm to Libya’s economy, exacerbate its humanitarian crisis, and undermine its broader stability.  The international community will hold those who undermine Libya’s peace, security, and stability to account.  We call for all armed actors to cease hostilities and withdraw immediately from oil installations without conditions before further damage occurs.  In September 2016, the LNA supported the legitimate National Oil Corporation’s work to rebuild Libya’s oil sector for the benefit of the Libyan people.  This action served Libya’s national interest.  The legitimate National Oil Corporation must be allowed again to take up unhindered work on behalf of the Libyan people, to repair infrastructure damaged after the attack by forces under the direction of Ibrahim Jadhran, and to restore the oil exports and production disrupted by that attack." Only after the above did UNSG Guterres belatedly speak, through his (censoring) spokesman Dujarric: "The Secretary-General is concerned about the latest developments in Libya's  "Oil Crescent" region.  He calls for de-escalation and for the return of all natural resources, their production and their revenues to the control of the recognised Libyan authorities. The Secretary-General recalls, as stipulated in Security Council resolution 2259 (2015), the need for unity of Libyan institutions and the exclusive right of the National Oil Corporation to export the country's oil. The Secretary-General reiterates his support to the efforts of his Special Representative, Mr. Ghassan Salamé, towards an inclusive political process among all Libyans through the implementation of the UN Action Plan." On May 29, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: on Libya, I mean, I see a picture of Mr. Salamé there behind Mr. Macron, so just I wanted to know in what context did the UN participate in the announcement made in France and also was Mr. Salamé at this SRSG [Special Representative of the Secretary-General] meeting in Mont Pèlerin.  Which… did all SRSGs…?

Spokesman:  Yes.  As far as I know I think all SRSGs were there.  Mr. Salamé was there to represent the UN.  As I said, I would have expected to have something to share with you, but I don't as of yet." Later they issued a canned statement including "The Secretary-General welcomes the Political Declaration on Libya adopted in Paris today by four major Libyan actors convened under the auspices of the United Nations and hosted by President Emmanuel Macron... The United Nations, led by Special Representative Salamé, will continue to implement the United Nations Action Plan, as supported by the Declaration adopted today." His master's voice.  It was not worth asking the UN Spokesman in writing - he does not respond, evicted and restricts Inner City Press and bans it then its Periscope from Antonio Guterres UNTV filmed events. Inner City Press then in person asked Guterres' lead spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who said he'd inquire and revert, but never did, as is his practices. On May 25 when Guterres' deputy Farhan Haq limited Inner City Press to only two questions, Inner City Press used one of them this way, UN transcript: Inner City Press: I had asked Stéphane [Dujarric] about whether the  the UN's envoy on Libya, Ghassan Salamé,  as has been reported there, declined to speak with civilians in Derna, and I had wanted to ask you.  It wasn't much in his briefing to the Security Council, and people there say that, in fact, the hospital has no more oxygen because of the siege laid.  So what is the UN's position on General [Khalifa] Haftar's siege?  And number two, I've gone back and looked and it seems that Mr. Salamé, at least as of 2016, was on the advisory board of the UAE's [United Arab Emirates] Diplomatic Academy, where now Bernardino León, the former envoy, has a position, and I wanted to know.  There's nothing since then and there's no Ghassan Salamé financial disclosure online, at least, to disclose his outside activities.  Is he still affiliated with the UAE Diplomatic Academy, given that the UAE is supportive of General Haftar?  And number two, was this some kind of a problem, his affiliation with the UAE, given their influence in Libya, and position in Libya, positions on Libya?

Deputy Spokesman:  Well, first of all, regarding what you said about Mr. Salamé and this report that he did not… that he refused to talk to Derna representatives, we've checked with the Mission.  That report is false.  Mr. Salamé and the Mission have been in touch with several people and entities from Derna and they are ready to speak to all Libyans.  Regarding…

Inner City Press:  Can you say which entities because the groups went on the record saying he wouldn't speak to them.  Can you say which groups those are?

Deputy Spokesman:  This is the information I have.  And… but he has been in touch, and he continues to be open and available to talk to all the various parties, including in Derna.  There's… we do not believe that there's any problems with any conflicts regarding Mr. Salamé.  He was vetted during the course of his recruitment.

Inner City Press:  Did he stop his position as being on the advisory board of the UAE Diplomatic Academy when he began working for the UN?

Deputy Spokesman:  I'm… as far as I'm aware, there are no conflicts regarding his roles.  Hold on." Yeah, hold on. Back on April 19 with questions abounding in Libya about where General Haftar was and about his health and mental state, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: there's a lack of clarity of the health and whereabouts of General [Khalifa] Haftar in Libya. He sort of disappeared.  Some diplomats have said he's had a serious heart attack and may not function.  So, I'm wondering, since the UN does have an envoy, Ghassan Salamé, is he aware where General Haftar is?  When's the last time he spoke to him?

Spokesman:  "Mr. Salamé spoke to… hold on a second.  I know he spoke to… I think last week he spoke to General Haftar.  I'll have to get you the exact date.  And, as for the whereabouts, I mean, I think that's up for those… those… Mr. Haftar and his people to talk about....Mr. Salamé spoke to General Haftar last Friday." And since?

   With Libya on the UN Security Council's agenda on March 21, Inner City Press asked UK Ambassador Jonathan Allen about continued reports of slavery there. From the UK transcript: Inner City Press: On the issue of human trafficking and even slavery, migrants: BBC had another story today about people who had been imprisoned for months and who had been sold. Is the UN doing anything? Is the UN doing enough? What should be done about that?

We obviously have passed the resolution in the Security Council I think last November which was really clear about the expectations the Council has, and that I know a number of countries are working with Libya but also other countries in Africa, including European Union projects, including through bilateral means, to try and resolve some of the problems that we’re seeing because there is a huge problem that needs to be fixed and ultimately it will be fixed when Libya is able to have political institutions that work and is able to come together as a country, which is what we’re talking about this morning, of course." We'll see. At the end of the open meeting on Libya, Russia's Ambassador Nebenzia distributed a video about.. Eastern Ghouta. Inner City Press Periscope here. When the Libya sanctions committee of the UN Security Council met on February 9 in the UN basement, only one media was covering it: Inner City Press. This is in contrast to a meeting earlier in the week in the same room of the North Korea sanctions committee, covered by more than a half dozen media, all but one of which (Inner City Press) was Japanese. Libya despite the UN's role and the atrocities is no longer in the attention span of the media the UN gives full access to. To his credit, Libya sanctions committee chair Olof Skoog nevertheless stopped after the meeting and spoke with Inner City Press, saying that while human smuggling is not explicitly part of the sanctions he views it as such, given not only human rights but also its potential to fund terrorism. Full audio here. He said there are recommendations not yet agreed to by all 15 members; he cited the briefing by Panel of Experts coordinator Lipika Majumdar Roy Choudhury. After she briefed the Committee, Inner City Press spokes briefly to her as well; she was more accessible than her North Korea sanctions counterpart. Earlier in the day the North Korea committee's briefing for member states was closed to the press. After it, Inner City Press asked the Dutch chair if the letters granting exemption as to Choe Hwi are put on the Committee's web site; no, was the answer. Periscope video here. Amid the disparities in focus, Inner City Press is ramping up its coverage - watch this site. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo the UN has little to say when civilians protesting holdover President Joseph Kabila are killed, and speaks only after questions about their own peacekeepers killing each other, it seems. RIP. On February 12, there will be a US-sponsored Arria formula meeting at the UN about DRC and the elections. On February 9, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Farhan Haq, video here, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you two things on DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo].  One is just… you may have read it after me, and I'm sorry if I missed it, but the UN has come up with a very high estimate for the number of people it believes will be displaced by this joint DRC in Uganda operation in the wake of the killing of the Tanzanian peacekeepers.  And I just wanted… it seemed… the numbers seemed so high I wanted to know.  Number one, is the UN saying anything to the two countries about how they… they should be conducting this?  Is that… is it a fait accompli?  Is there any UN support to that operation?  And also, what is the status of the inquiry by… led by Dmitry Titov, but apparently… into… into what went wrong?  There's at least one media report saying that one of the reasons, sadly, that… that the that the peacekeepers were killed is the lack of air support, that a helicopter didn't fly to support them because there was a lack of pilots with night training.  So, there are people that, if that's the case, said like… how can… how can… in a country like the DRC, how can you have helicopters with people that can't fly at night if the bases are being attacked at night? Deputy Spokesman:  Well, regarding that, the report by Mr. Titov is being finalized.  I believe it will be ready to go to the Secretariat and the Secretary-General shortly and he'll have a look at that point.  It has not been finalized so far, and then we'll evaluate at that point, and we'll try to share with the press the details of that report once we get that.  Regarding your other question, we have some information out today, including what I just read at the first part of this briefing, concerning the large number of displacement of people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  I would refer you to what UNHCR has been saying and yes, of course, we call on all fighting forces to halt their activities to cease further such displacement. Inner City Press:  What's the UN's position on the Ugandan Government saying we're going to take out the ADF [Allied Democratic Forces] because they attacked the peacekeepers?  It's kind of being done in the name of the UN, no?  Should they… should they… I guess what I'm saying… Deputy Spokesman:  No, I'm sorry, it's not being done "in the name of the UN".  Please be accurate. Inner City Press: No, I mean, they're saying you killed peacekeeper, therefore, we're going to take you out.  If you're the UN, you should say, no, don't take them out, or take them out in this way.  So, what are you saying to them? Deputy Spokesman:  I mean, obviously, we're aware of the constant unrest, and it's been going on for many years, as you're aware in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and specifically in the eastern parts.  We have been trying, including through the efforts of our peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO, to find ways to ease the situation.  At the same time, we are aware that the activities by military groups continue.  That must be brought to a halt, but we are trying to deal with the situation.  And part of what I've been saying, including at the top of this briefing, was the need to fully fund our efforts to deal with the massive amount of displacement. Inner City Press: But, when Uganda was firing… because it came up in this room.  They claimed to have killed 100 ADF fighters.  This was about a month ago, maybe five weeks ago.  They claimed that they did it without crossing the border, but the people that were killed were at least 100 kilometres inside the border.  Did MONUSCO ever find out how Uganda was able to kill 100 people at that distance?  I guess I'm wondering doesn't MONUSCO have some kind of monitoring ability to see… or mandate to see how these two armies are, in going after ADF, actually doing these things?  I'm just saying the UN is more involved than just issuing press releases about displacement, since it was the attack on the UN that's used as the pretext or as the triggering of these two military actions. Deputy Spokesman:  The fact that an attack on peacekeepers is used by different parties to explain their actions does not make it a UN operation or something that involves the United Nations.  Our operations are done by the United Nations." We'll have more on this. On January 23 on the weekend's crackdown about which UN Security Council "pen holder" France has not called a meeting like it has not on Cameroon, US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert has said, "We condemn in the strongest terms the violence perpetrated by DRC security forces on January 21 against church-led peaceful protests that resulted in at least six confirmed deaths, dozens of injuries, and numerous arbitrary arrests. We are appalled that the DRC government, including President Kabila, would employ repressive tactics and disproportionate use of lethal force against civilians -- including religious leaders and children -- exercising their democratic rights to call for credible and inclusive elections. We are deeply concerned that the DRC government’s January 21 violence and repression against its citizens follows just weeks after the government’s attacks on peaceful protesters on December 31 which the United States and members of the United Nations Security Council condemned and called for accountability. The use of lethal force against Congolese citizens, and the cutting of internet and SMS service, undermine the democratic process, obstruct implementation of the St. Sylvestre Accord and contravene international human rights norms. We call on President Kabila to hold accountable security force members who fired on civilians or ordered the use of lethal force and urge him and his government to ensure a peaceful and open electoral process so that credible elections are held as scheduled in December 2018." On January 5, after three days of only "internal appointments," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appointed a long time UN official to investigate the most recent killings: Dmitry Titov, whom Inner City Press spotted and spoke with in the UN lobby during the January 4 snow day when it could not exit and re-enter through the UN Visitors Entrance. Here's the full text: "The Secretary-General today announced the appointment of Dmitry Titov of Russia to lead a Special Investigation into recent attacks on peacekeepers and peacekeeping bases in the Beni territory of North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. This Special Investigation will include a focus on the 7 December attack in Semuliki, in which 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed, 43 wounded and one remains missing. The Special Investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding these attacks, evaluate MONUSCO’s overall preparedness and response to the events and provide recommendations on how to prevent such attacks from occurring in the future or when they do occur, from having such lethal consequences.  The investigation team will travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo early in January and will also visit relevant countries in the Great Lakes region.  In addition to officials of the United Nations, the team will also include two military officers from Tanzania." On January 5, Guterres' spokesman did not answer Inner City Press' noon question about censorship by Tanzania. On New Years Eve, tellingly, the UN mission put out a photograph of its personnel smiling and dancing, about which Inner City Press asked the UN Spokesperson on January 3, below. The UN of today cares what some think, but not others. Perhaps relatedly, at the January 2 press conference by the month's Security Council president, Kazakhstan, not a single one of the 12 questions taken was about anywhere in Africa. Inner City Press near the end asked loudly about DRC; no answer. Vine video here. At the January 3 UN noon briefing, Inner City Press asked UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: I wanted to ask something about the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo].  I definitely saw the statement by the Secretary-General, but beyond the people that were killed in this crackdown, there was a period of time in which the internet, SMS messages, were all turned off by the Government as part of its strategy.  There was some consternation among LUCHA and other groups in the Congo, that MONUSCO [United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo] was tweeting out pictures of the peacekeepers dancing as some sort of a New Year's greeting, and people said this was sort of a bad timing given that, at that very moment, civilians were being killed.  Does MONUSCO have its own internet?  Meaning, when the internet is shut down by the [Joseph] Kabila Government, how is it that MONUSCO is still putting things out when citizens facing repression are unable to? Deputy Spokesman:  Well, MONUSCO has the same facilities.  It doesn't have Internet independent of what is available in the country, but it does have its own communications facilities.  Obviously, it does… anything that we put out for New Year's greetings, including the New Year's greetings that the UN system puts out in countries around the world, are not meant to be a disrespect for other events happening on the ground.  But, at the same time, we have made clear, including through the Secretary-General's statements, our concerns about the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo." At the January 2 noon briefing, Inner City Press asked Guterres' deputy spokesman Farhan Haq, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: I had been asking in writing last week about whether the U… Ugandans claim that they made these… they… they took these actions without any boots on ground without ever crossing the border, so they were done with either artillery or with airstrikes.  And some of these camps are… are… are far from their border.  So, I'm just wondering, as I'd asked last week, was MONUSCO informed of airstrikes taking place in areas where they have, you know, personnel?  I guess it has to do with the kind of coordination and also, you know, whether they think that the people killed were all, in fact, ADF fighters or some… there's some reports locally that there's civilians hit.  So, I'm just wondering, what's the UN's sort of role and foreknowledge and knowledge of these airstrikes and artillery strikes by Uganda into DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo]? Deputy Spokesman:  I'll try to see what information we can get.  I believe we had received something just before I entered here about casualties from the attack last week, so we'll try to get something." Then, nothing. We'll have more on this in 2018. In the work week of December 26-29, Secretary General Antonio Guterres' spokesmen refused to answer Inner City Press' formal questions about the killing of civilians in DRC. Then on December 31, two hours before New Years in New York (Guterres was in Portugal, presumably asleep), the UN issued this in his name: "The Secretary-General expresses concern about reports of the violent dispersion of protests by national security forces in Kinshasa and a number of cities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, resulting in the death of at least five people, the wounding of several others and the arrest of over 120 persons. The Secretary-General calls on the Government and national security forces to exercise restraint and to uphold the rights of the Congolese people to the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. The Secretary-General urges all Congolese political actors to remain fully committed to the 31 December 2016 political agreement, which remains the only viable path to the holding of elections, the peaceful transfer of power and the consolidation of stability in the DRC." But that agreement has been entirely violated by Kabila. And still nothing on other protests, for example in Iran. We'll have more on this. On December 20, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: on the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and the killing of the two experts, Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan, there's a report by RFI and others that… that one of the people that invited them to the town that they were visiting was, in fact, a Government official.  So it calls into question whether the Government itself can or will honestly investigate a crime in which they may be involved.  What's the status of the UN's participation in the Government's investigation? Spokesman:  Well, as you know, the Secretary-General sent a Canadian senior judge, Mr. [Robert] Petit, who I believe may still be there, and along with other technical experts to support the work of the criminal investigation that is being done by the DRC authorities.  And we do hope that the investigation is done fully and thoroughly and that justice is found for our two colleagues who were murdered. Inner City Press:  But what… if… if this report is true that a top AN… an ANR official was involved in bringing them to where they disappeared, does it call into question whether the UN can… can… whether this is the best the UN can do in terms of investigating the death of its experts? Spokesman:  Well, obviously, the UN has no mandate to conduct its own criminal investigation.  That is clear.  On… following discussions with the Security Council, the Secretary-General has dispatched these staff to support the criminal investigation.  We hope that it will be full and thorough and as transparent as possible.  I think… and there's… we hope that they will… the investigation will lead wherever it needs to lead to, in order to find justice." We'll see. On December 7 the worst attack yet happened, killing 14 UN peacekeepers and five Congolese soldiers. Inner City Press asked for information, without response, from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric and DPKO chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Later Lacroix spoke at the noon briefing and Inner City Press asked him about the ADF, see below). After the Security Council met and Japan's Deputy Permanent Representative read out a press statement, Inner City Press asked him if Lacroix in the closed door briefing said it was the ADF. We still have to investigate, he said. Periscope here. A week later on December 14 Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Farhan Haq, UN transcript here, Inner City Press: with Mr. [Jean-Pierre] Lacroix in Tanzania, there's been a request by the Government there for an investigation of the death of their 15 peacekeepers. In terms of the slowness of the response from Beni and elsewhere and the communications breakdown. I guess I'm wondering, beyond just investigating, are you closer to saying it definitely was the ADF [Allied Democratic Forces]?  And has there been anything found out, why it took as long as it did for the reinforcements to arrive? Deputy Spokesman:  Well, this is a matter that we're looking into.  Regarding the question of the Allied Democratic Forces, you heard what Mr. Lacroix had to say about that.  But we'll continue to look into the matter, and if we have anything further to announce, we'll make that at that point." Right.  Back on December 8 Haq's and Stephane Dujarric's office squawked that Guterres would speak about the peacekeepers at 10 am in UN Conference Room 1. Inner City Press ran there but found Guterres glad-handing with ambassadors from Uganda (named in the recent UN bribery indictment) and others. Periscope video here. A film was shown, about CERF. Guterres read remarks, then said CERF funds would go, among others, to Cameroon, where his approach and team are failing. Guterres left for a private spinning session; he has said he won't held any end of the year press conference, as even Ban Ki-moon did. This is today's UN. DPKO's Lacroix came to the noon briefing with a map; Inner City Press asked him if those killed were part of the Force Intervention Brigade. Yes, he said, saying that Nepal has been added to the FIB. Minutes later Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press:  you said earlier on another attack on UN personnel that the UN is trying to, I guess, co-operate in investigating the killing of the experts [Michael] Sharp and [Zaida] Catalan.  It was said that an UN team is going there to work with them? Spokesman: Yes. Inner City Press: Have they gone yet? Spokesman: Yes.  We confirmed it, I think.  There is Judge [Robert] Petit, a Canadian judge who was dispatched, I’m not sure if he is still there but he went there about a week ago, and we’ve also dispatched a number of technical experts to support the investigation being done, the criminal investigation being done by the DRC authorities. Inner City Press: And relatedly, there was… in September there was an attack by the Congolese military forces themselves on Burundian refugees, 36 Burundian refugees were killed in I think it’s Kamandola and I’m wondering, it was said at the time that the UN was going to follow-up? Spokesman: "Yeah, I think we announced an inquiry.  I’ll have to check what the status is of that investigation."  On November 16, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric what if any thing SG Antonio Guterres is doing to follow up on the murders of UN experts Zaida Catalan and Michael Sharp, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: on the issue of Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan, the… the Swedish public prosecutor, Sara Nilsson, has said that the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] authority are not cooperating with her office, that they have not shared the video of the murder.  And she says that there may be… those involved in the killing may be closely related to the regime in the DRC.  And so I wanted to know, what's the status of the Secretary-General's moves to… to collaborate or work with this DRC? Spokesman:  As the…  I think as the SG said in his letter to the Security Council, there will be a UN team, I think, traveling in the first half of December.  When I have more… Inner City Press: Would they expect to see this video that the Swedish prosecutors have said…? Spokesman:  They have their mandate as laid out in their letter to the Council.  Thank you." On November 7, on the country's multiply delayed elections, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN Transcript here: Inner City Press: on the DRC, I wanted to ask you this.  The US has put out… the State Department put out a press release saying: "The US notes the importance of President Kabila [Kabange] abiding by the DRC's Constitution, reaffirmed in the St. Sylvestre accord, that he will not seek a third term and will step down following elections."  So, is that… is that the UN's… is that your understanding as well, that that is what is required? Spokesman:  I think my understanding is the fact that I used every word that I could think of in answering..." We'll have more on this, and on the UN's MONUSCO mission often called MON-USELESS. On October 30, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: about the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  One is, there's a report of a UN peacekeeper being killed allegedly by another UN peacekeeper.  And I wanted to know… I didn't… if you can confirm that.  And, also, there've been at least one civilian killed in Goma in protests against the continued holdover presidency of Joseph Kabila [Kabange].  Is that something that MONUSCO [United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo] is operating on? Spokesman:  Yes, I mean, I think they're monitoring the situation.  I don't have any details as to exactly on the demonstration that took place in Goma.  We are aware of the tragic incident that took place in the living quarters of a MONUSCO base in Sake in North Kivu, I think, on 27 October, in which one UN peacekeeper was found dead and another injured.  The wounded peacekeeper has been transferred to Kampala for further medical care.  The Mission is conducting an investigation currently. Inner City Press: I hate to say it, but if it does turn out to be manslaughter or murder of one peacekeeper by another, does immunity still apply?  Is it a matter of military justice in South Africa?  How does it work? Spokesman:  I think it's a matter of the contingent taking the right… taking the decision, investigating it and, obviously, if there's foul play, for the person to face justice." On justice, Inner City Press on October 30 asked Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallstrom what's being done to hold accountable those responsible for the murders of UN experts Zaida Catalan and Michael Sharp. She said the Secretary General, whom she was meet later in the day, photos here, has put UN personnel within the Congolese investigation, and that Swedish will not rest. Back on October 11, Inner City Press asked the UK, UN and UN Security Council president Francois Delattre. From the French Mission transcript: Inner City Press: The killing of the two experts, Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan was it discussed in consultations? And also the killing of the Burundian refugees, the SRSG said there is some kind of an inquiry about, at least as I understood, the U.N’s role, protecting or not protecting. What can you say about these two sets killings in the DRC?
On this, and I speak on my national capacity here, the topic was indeed mentioned during the discussion we just had. With respect to France’s position, we have repeatedly called for an in-depth investigation to identify the perpetrators of the crimes and to bring them to justice. The Secretary General has committed to shedding the light on these barbaric murders and to holding accountable those responsible. So we renew our call to establish a special investigative mechanism to enable the competent legal authorities to effectively prosecute these crimes and to achieve the justice we need." The UK answer by Matthew Rycroft is here on video - it seems the UK Mission no longer transcribes and sends out what Rycroft says or answers. The UN transcript is not yet out, as of 4 pm. When US Ambassador Nikki Haley took questions on August 25, Inner City Press asked her about the UN's whitewash report on the murder of UN experts Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan, and the UN referring the case to... the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Haley replied that that would not be an appropriate investigation and that she is working with the UN in this regard. Video here. Two weeks later on September 8 Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric and found that nothing, it seems, is taking place. From the UN transcript: Inner City Press: some serving the UN's cause that have fallen include, for example, Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalán.  So I wanted to know… and there's criticism, whether he calls it from critics or not, saying that maybe the UN itself could have done better, should learn from that in terms of how to protect its experts in the field.  So I wanted to know, factually, with the upcoming week coming up, when does the Secretary-General expect to actually make a decision about a follow-on mechanism that's been much discussed?  Is he going to use, I guess, that week to… to get more support for it? Spokesman:  No one more than the Secretary-General wants to see justice for our two fallen colleagues.  I think he has expressed it directly.  He's met with the families.  The responsibility, the primary responsibility to find those responsible, lies with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  There's a discussion going on, on how to best create a follow-on mechanism, and that will be addressed as soon as possible.  I think the Secretary-General, through the Board of Inquiry, we made very clear what could have been done differently, what could have been done better.  And, of course, there are lessons to be learned from that horrendous… the horrendous murder.
Inner City Press:  Two things.  Was it ever determined… I read that report, was it ever determined whether these security management system regulations did apply at the time to experts or apply now?  That was one thing… Spokesman:  Well, I think that was one of the issues that is very much a lesson learned on how to better integrate the experts into that situation. Inner City Press:  And can you see why, if it's possible that the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] Government or its affiliates or affiliated militia may have played some role in the crime, why there are people…Spokesman:  "No one is debating that." Really? Back on August 25 Inner City Press ran to the UN noon briefing and asked the Spokesman what Secretary General Antonio Guterres was doing. UN transcript here: Inner City Press:  Just now at the stakeout, I asked Nikki Haley about this Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalán and the UN, the report to date, and she seemed to say that, that relying on, on the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] to investigate is not acceptable to at least one of the countries of the two deceased.  So, what… I mean, I know that you've been asked, and I'm not sure I understand the answer.  What exactly, does the Secretary-General intend to have there be an investigation that is not DRC run?  Spokesman:  There needs to be a, there needs to be some sort of a follow-up mechanism.  Those issues are currently being discussed within the house and with the Security Council.  Obviously, there are also issues of, of sovereignty and of the Security Council that need to be taken into account.  But I think the Secretary-General is, first and foremost, wants to make sure that justice is done for these two young people who were doing work on behalf of the United Nations, on behalf of the Security Council, to try to bring light to illicit, onto illicit activity.  And so we are, we are dedicated to ensuring that there is accountability and that justice is done."  But is that an investigation? After the issuance by the UN of whitewash report, on August 17 the UN Security Council met about the DRC. In attendance were John E. Sharp and Michele M. Sharp, and Maria Moresby and Elizabeth Moresby. Photos here. Before the meeting began, Inner City Press asked UK Deputy Ambassador Jonathan Allen, as transcribed by the UK: Inner City Press: The security management system has said it was unclear if the experts are subjects to its regulations, do you think they are or should be and if they were at the time they were murdered, who should have told them they were actual subjects to it? It’s paragraph 24.
 
Amb Allen: I’ve read the Board of Inquiry report. I think there are a number of questions there are to be followed up with the UN system and we will be doing that.

   Inner City Press also asked UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq, who would not say if the regulations applied and who, when Inner City Press asked for report lead author Greg Starr to hold a press conference said Starr is not a UN person. The buck-passing is extensive. If the UN cannot rule out that the murders involved the Congolese government, how is counting on them to investigate acceptable? We'll have more on this. Inner City Press on August 10  asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the report into the killing of the two experts, Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalán, I noticed that the Deputy Secretary-General met with the perm rep of DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] this week?  Is that report, in fact… I think you'd said it was coming out quite soon.

Spokesman:  "Yeah, I expect a, it is coming out quite soon.  I also made sure not to box myself in with a… with a date promise, but I think we should have… we should be able to announce something either late this week or early… early next week." And now on August 16, the day before the Security Council meets on its, Inner City Press is publishing the summary of the report, here. It is a whitewash. Specifically, it is another whitewash by the UN Department of Safety and Security of itself. Earlier this year Inner City Press published a leaked complaint of another alleged cover up by the head of DSS Peter Drennan, here. But in this summary, paragraphs 23 and 24 are particularly shameful. The Starr report states that the Board of Inquiry named by Secretary General Antonio Guterres "found that the United Nations had a fully functional, in-depth security program in place that was adequately staffed and resourced to perform required security functions." Really? The report states that "members of Groups of Experts do not believe that the United Nations Security Management System regulations pertain to them." But did they, in March 2017? And if they did, whose responsibility was it to have told the experts? Do they now?  What actions, or factors, regarding the lack of implementation of the UN Security Management System contributed to their deaths? This is not answered. It is a whitewash. 

  On August 8, Inner City Press asked Dujarric, video here, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: in the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo], and this is not about… this is about the Government itself announcing two telecom companies to slow down the internet so that images cannot be transmitted by Twitter or other…

Spokesman:  I'm not aware of the situation.

Inner City Press: I guess what I'm wondering on that — there's an article on it, so you could be aware of it —is, does the UN, as much as you might seem like you don't monitor Twitter, given that photographs are one of the ways in which human rights violations in the Kasais are being documented.

Spokesman:  I understand.  I'm aware of the situation.  I can check.

  Eight hours later, nothing - but UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed, who met with a Cameroon trio on August 8 with Dujarric not despite Press requested providing the attendees list, is set to meet with the DRC on August 9. We hope to have more on this. On August 4, Inner City Press asked Dujarric about a UN report, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: there's a due-diligence and vetting process.  So, one side of the UN has found that there may be Government units supporting these.  Are you saying that these units are not being supported… the… the supervisors or whoever the UN is aware of…?

Spokesman:  I think, as you know, we've said in the past and we do due diligence.  There are some units we've worked with and others we have not, and we've been very open about when we've refused to work with certain units.

Inner City Press: And although this report doesn't specifically name, but seems to show some knowledge of, who in the Congolese governmental system is supporting these militia units, has that information been turned over for the… for purposes of vetting?  And are there any people actually being vetted?

Spokesman:  I'm sure that, in drafting the report, it was shared with the Congolese authorities.

   On August 2 he returned to say more than 100 had been arrested, including journalists (he himself evicted the Press from the Briefing Room and UN); Inner City Press asked him, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: Thanks for the, I guess, the numbers on DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo].  I wanted to ask you about another report from there which is that the press there is reporting that the Gregory Starr report into the death of the experts, Zaida Catalán and Michael Sharp, exonerates the Government.  That’s what the media in the DRC is saying, is the report finished?

Spokesman:  The report is still in its final stages of being finished.  I think anybody who claims to know the conclusions of the report is speaking on, not based on any knowledge or facts.

Question:  Sure.  Well, I mean Gregory Starr presumably would know?

Spokesman:  I'm saying in any press reports to that effect.

Question:  What is going to be the logistics and the timing of actually people, because, given the interest in this in of knowing of the report being made public or a summary being made public?

Spokesman:  I think there will be some type of executive summary that will be made public.  After 17 years in this Organization, I try not to be too tied down by timeframes, but we do expect it either this week or next week.

Question:  And do you think that one or more of the authors could…?

Spokesman:  I wish I could predict that.

From the UN's August 1 transcript: Inner City Press: now more than 100 people were arrested in the DRC in the protests of the passing of the time, so yesterday you said you didn't have it?

Spokesman:  No.  We, obviously the Mission is aware of it.  We understand a number of people have been released and the human rights component of the [UN] Mission is monitoring the situation.

  Already downplaying it. From the UN's July 31 transcript: Inner City Press: anything on the Democratic Republic of the Congo?  There have been major protests there today.  This was the day people were supposed to be registered to vote for the election.  There have been arrests and the use of tear gas in Kinshasa, Bukavu, Goma.  Given that the UN has a billion-dollar peacekeeping mission there, do they have some statement on it?

Spokesman:  I have not gotten anything from the mission on that today.

  And eight hours later, nothing. After the UN belatedly focused into the murder of UN experts Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan, unprotected by the UN in the DR Congo, on July 10 Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric what it is, exactly, that the UN is investigating. UN Transcript here and below. Then on July 11 Inner City Press asked the Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix what is being done. Periscope video here. Lacroix answered that he raised the issue "at the highest levels" in the DRC, as of concern to the UN and to the countries of origin of the experts. (In fact, Sweden's Olof Skoog has called for a more rigorous investigation that those current underway.) Lacroix noted the current DRC cases and said the UN has shared detailed information with the authorities there. We'll have more on this. Back on July 10, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Dujarrric: on DRC.  There's been a letter by ten US senators, pretty much bipartisan about the killings of Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan.  And I wanted to ask you about this sentence in it.  They said that they've heard of the UN Board of Inquiry [BOI], but they understand, quote, it will not seek to identify perpetrators or what happened to Mr. Sharp's and Ms. Catalan's Congolese interpreter and drivers.  So, they're asking for a more serious investigation.  One, I wanted to know, what's the status of that Board of Inquiry given the interest and what happened.  And is it true that the Board of Inquiry, as these senators are saying, will not look at all at what happened into the UN-contracted interpreter and driver?

Spokesman:  No.  The BOI is under way. We… last I'd heard, we expect it for the end of this month.  As we've said, we would effort to make some of its findings public.  The BOI was appointed to establish the facts and, if possible, identify the perpetrators around the killings.  We'll submit a report with recommendations as to the next step.  We're also looking at further options that may be available to us.  Obviously, first and foremost, the responsibility lies on the Congolese authorities.  We cannot substitute ourselves for a national criminal investigation unless, of course, there is a Security Council mandate.  I think I would urge you to wait and see what the findings are, and then we can take it, next step.  My understanding also is that the letter was addressed, from what I saw in the press reports, to Ambassador [Nikki] Haley, not to the Secretary-General.

Inner City Press: What I wanted to know is, one, I remember at the time, there was some dispute about whether the… in fact, the interpreter of the two experts had also been found dead.  Is that… is your understanding that he has?

Spokesman:  My… I don't have an understanding into that.  I think we have to wait for the BOI and see what facts they would have been able to clear up.

On June 5 US Ambassador Nikki Haley said "they and their families deserve justice. We owe it to their legacy to end the human rights abuses being carried out by armed groups and the DRC government against the Congolese people. We hope other nations will join us"- she called for a Human Rights Council and a UN Secretary General investigation. On June 16, Haley added: "reports of the Congolese government’s campaign of murder and rape of women and children should shock us into action. These allegations must be investigated and those responsible held accountable. It is past time for the Human Rights Council to take decisive action and launch an independent investigation into the human rights violations and abuses in the DRC. This is the core mission of the HRC. If they can’t act in a situation this horrifying, why bother having one." On June 6, Inner City Press asked the SG's holdover spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: Nikki Haley has called on the Secretary-General, António Guterres, to initiate a special investigation into the murders of Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalan.  I saw you were quoted, something about… I want to understand your position, something about using maximum authority.  Doesn't he have the authority to investigate the murder of UN staff members?

Spokesman:  Well, I think, you know, first of all, we, obviously… you know, the call from Ambassador Haley and we've seen calls from the… from Sweden, as well.  We take the requests very seriously.  I think they echo our own concern.  The Secretary-General has consistently said that he and the Secretariat would do everything they could to make sure justice was done in this case while recognizing first and foremost that the responsibility for a criminal investigation rests with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  We cannot substitute ourselves… the Secretary-General, the Secretariat, cannot substitute himself… ourselves for the criminal justice system of a sovereign State.  We're cooperating… actively cooperating with national authorities conducting criminal investigations, but we're also ready to implement any Security Council decision on this matter.  As you know, there is a Board of Inquiry (BOI) that was appointed.  They are fully at work.  We expect their conclusions of that work to be done by the end of July.  They're there to establish the facts and, if possible, identify the perpetrators. And they'll submit a report with recommendations to the Secretary-General.  We're also looking at further options that may be available to us.  But that review, the work of the BOI, should provide a good basis for putting together a set of possible next steps for the Secretary-General Member States to consider in the murder of… to find out what happened… not only find out what happened to the murder… to our two murdered colleagues, but also to ensure that justice is done and those who killed them are brought to justice.

Inner City Press: Since often these Board of Inquiries are not… not made public, can you… is the intention, at a minimum, to at least make it public…

Spokesman:  We will… as we've done in certain cases, we will share with you what we can and make public what we can of the Board of Inquiry, in a way that doesn't jeopardize any future investigations that may take place.

   We'll stay on this. Earlier on June 6, Inner City Press asked UK Ambassador Matthew Rycroft: Inner City Press:  Does the UK think that the Secretary-General should do his own inquiry to the death of the two experts in the DRC? Nikki Haley has called for that, as well as for the Human Rights Council to do it. Which do you think should happen, or either?
 
Amb Rycroft: Well, we want to just get to the truth. We want those who are responsible for the devastating murder of the two UN officials to be held to account. So whichever way will get to the truth, we support.

   Meanwhile, as Inner City Press has reported, the UN Department of Safety and Security's alleged burying of reports should not itself be covered up. After Inner City Press exclusively reported that UN Department of Safety and Security's top officer Peter Drennan -- to whom the Board of Inquiry report on Sharp and Catalan would be filed on July 31 -- ordered that a security report on UNESCO chief Irina Bokova be “buried” last year due to the personal political implications for Drennan if Bokova instead of Antonio Guterres became UN Secretary General, the UN's response was to attack the leak. (On May 23 they insisted a Garowe, Somalia Board of Inquiry report was shared with interested parties). Also on May 23, when Inner City Press asked about criticism of the UN in the DRC, the response was to defend everything. From the UN transcript: Inner City Press: I'm sure you've seen the editorial in The New York Times saying, “astoundingly irresponsible approach by the United Nations to an obviously dangerous and unusually important task”.  They also question what's been accomplished for the billions spent in the… in the DRC.

***

Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com

Past (and future?) UN Office: S-303, UN, NY 10017 USA
For now: Box 20047, Dag Hammarskjold Station NY NY 10017

Reporter's mobile (and weekends): 718-716-3540

Search innercitypress.com  Search WWW (censored?)

Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.

 Copyright 2006-2018 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com for