As
Seoul Accuses Pyongyang, Ban Reacts After Obama, But Will Not Take to
Council
By
Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED
NATIONS, May 19, updated -- On the sinking of South Korea's ship
Cheonan, the
proverbial other shoe dropped on Wednesday evening, New York time.
The South Korean government formally accused North Korea of sinking
the ship with a torpedo, and killing 46 sailors on board. The finding
had been telegraphed the day before by South Korea's foreign
minister, who said there was little doubt that North Korea did.
At
the UN noon
briefing on May 19, Inner City Press asked
Secretary General Ban
Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky for a comment:
Inner
City Press: Can I ask about [the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea]? I am figuring you will have an if-asked on this
one.
The Foreign Minister of [the Republic of Korea] has said that there
is little doubt that [The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] is
responsible for the sinking of that ship and the killing of the
sailors. What is the Secretary-General — given his interest,
obviously, in the peace in the peninsula — what does he, does he
have any comment on that?
Spokesperson Martin
Nesirky: He
has obviously been following this situation with concern and he has
seen the comments reported in the media today. We will have to
await the official report, which is expected to be forthcoming
tomorrow from the Republic of Korea before we can make any further
comment.
On
the morning of
May 19, Inner City Press asked Ban Ki-moon himself about Korea,
albeit about reports that the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of
Expression Frank La Rue said he was tailed around by the country's
intelligence service. I have seen the press reports, Ban genially
answered. Then he gave a pun-laden talk about distracted driving.
Later
on May 19,
after 6 p.m., Nesirky was seen in the UN's new North Lawn building
with Ban's top political advisor, the American Lynn Pascoe. And so,
when South Korea made its announcement and the White House in
Washington already had a statement out, Inner City Press asked
Nesirky for Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's response.
"It
will be
coming shortly," Nesirky wrote at 10:15 pm. Twelve minutes
later, 22 minutes after the White House statement, Nesirky commented
as follows:
The
Secretary-General has learned of the results of the investigation
into the sinking of the Cheonan naval ship of the Republic of Korea
with a heavy heart and serious concern. The Secretary-General
appreciates the restrained and patient efforts of the Government of
the Republic of Korea to investigate this incident in an objective
and scientific manner by both domestic and international
experts.
The facts laid out in the report are deeply
troubling. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, he will
continue to closely follow developments. The Secretary-General takes
this opportunity to express once again his deep sadness over the loss
of the sailors. He also extends his heartfelt sympathy to the
bereaved families as well as to the people and the Government of the
Republic of Korea.
Some
might contrast
Ban's call for an investigation of 46 deaths by "international
experts" with his reluctance, even in the face of calls by the
International Crisis Group, Amnesty International and Human Right
Watch, to call for any outside review of the killing by the Sri
Lankan government last week of tens of thousands of civilians. Others
might point out that this is a cross border incident, not as Ban
seems to view Sri Lanka's bloodbath on the beach, a merely internal
matter.
But
what steps,
really, can or will be taken on North Korea? The U.S. is said to want
to keep Kim Jong-Il in power, at least for now, for fear of unknown
forces gaining control of Pyongyang's weapons.
Ban
Ki-moon earlier
this year dispatched his senior advisor Kim Won-soo and Pascoe to
North Korea. They came back with surprisingly upbeat reports about
the potential for rapprochement. And now?
UN's Ban and South Korea's Lee, Ban and OSSG in UN
Council not seen
On
the morning of
May 19, Inner City Press asked another of Ban's spokespeople, with
even great knowledge of Korea than Mr. Nesirky, who covered the
Peninsula for Reuters, if Ban would consider raising the matter to
the Security Council pursuant to his powers under Article 99 of the
UN Charter. No, was the answer. Inner City Press has sought
confirmation and explanation from Nesirky, but at press time it had
not yet been received. Watch this site.
Footnote:
perhaps relatedly, Nesirky on May 19 confirmed that he and his
Office, unlike prior to April 2010, do not have access to any of the
Security Council's closed consultations. On May 19 Inner City Press
asked
him:
Inner
City Press: can you confirm that the Chief of Staff, Vijay Nambiar,
did write a letter to the Council when this issue first came up, and
can you say whether the Council responded? It just seems
strange that you have… when you say “your office”, was there a
response made to the Executive Office of the Secretary-General,
saying that they could enter but your Office could not, as we
understand it?
Spokesperson Nesirky: I
would simply
repeat what I have said. My Office has not been directly
informed; this does not mean — and I have said it here, too —
this does not mean that we have not been trying. And when I say
“we”, that means the Executive Office of the Secretary-General as
well, trying to understand and to have a clear answer. But I
personally have not received a clear answer.
It
is hard to think this will be helpful for this Secretary General to
raise or monitor the North Korea -- or DPRK as Nesirky is always
quickly to point out -- issues in the Security Council. Watch this
site.
Update
of 10:57 p.m. -- Mr. Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky has responded to
questions about Special Rapporteur La Rue being tailed by
intelligence agents, and whether Mr. Ban would use his powers under
Article 99 of the UN Charter to raise the issue to the Council with
this:
"At
this stage I would add that we need to follow developments closely
before we make any further comment - the findings are only just out."
Meanwhile
in
Beijing the vice foreign minister of China has called the sinking
"unfortunate," but has similarly declined to address the
specifics of South Korea's report and accusation. Watch this site.
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