In
Yemen Saudi
Bombs Kill 55
in Hodeidah
Hospital As UK
UN Envoy
Griffith Cancels
Press-less
Presser
By Matthew
Russell Lee, 30/7
CJR, 19/6
Video
UNITED NATIONS
GATE, August 2 – UN
Secretary
General
Antonio
Guterres
lavished
praised on
Saudi Crown
Prince
Mohammed bin
Salman on
March 27 accepting
a $930 million
check from the
Saudis and UAE,
with not a
word of the
Saudi led
bombing
campaign that
has killed
civilians and
caused cholera
in
Yemen.
On August 2,
the day
afer the implicated
UK took over
presidency
of the UN
Security
Council while
denying
Press requests
under FOIA
and for
access, British
nominated (and
Saudi
vetted) UN envoy
Martin
Griffiths was to
brief the Council
and then a Press-less
press stakeout
(which he
later
canceled) -
when, just
before the
meeting, the
Saudi and Emirati
led Coalition
reported
bombed the
Al-Thourah
Hospital in Hodeidah,
killing 55
civilians.
Meanwhile the
UK prepped the
correspondents
it feeds cake to,
as it
sells bombs to
Saudi
Arabia. On
July 30 Guterres'
sleazy basis
for roughing
up and banning
Inner City
Press for 27
days and
counting was reported
in the Columbia
Journalist
Review: Guterres'
spokesman Stephane
Dujarric has
gone
further, in an article
published July
30 by the
Columbia
Journalism
Review. Dujarric - who
Inner City
Press
directed to
the CJR
reporter to -
is quoted
that " Lee
Periscoped
while
shouting, 'Fuck
you!'
repeatedly.
(Lee says he
was
complaining
that Dujarrac
had given the
Al Jazeera
crew a private
interview, and
excluded him.)
'He
creates an
atmosphere of
incivility
within our
working
environment,'
Dujarrac says."
This is a lie.
Inner City
Press on June 19
when Dujarric
gave a "private
briefing" to Al
Jazeera about
Nikki Haley
and Mike
Pompeo
announcing the
US pull out
from the UN
Human Right
Council said
in the hall
that is was a
"sleazefest."
After closing
the door of
the focus booth
it has been
confined to work in
for two years
by
Dujarric, and long
after the Al
Jazeera trio
including
James Bayes
and Whitney
Hurst were
done, said on
Periscope, F-You. Periscope
video - still
online
during this 27
day "investigation" -
here.
So
Dujarric is a
censor,
justifying the
beating up and
banning of a
journalist for
something he
broadcast in
a soundproof
booth to his
audience. This
is disgusting, all
the more so
because as
Inner City
Press has reported,
Dujarric told
an
interlocutor
on June 20,
before the two
beat-downs of
Inner City Press,
that things
would be worse
for it. Guterres and
Dujarric and
it seems Smale
are.. thugs. Disgusting.
On Yemen, the
CJR article
quotes Inner
City Press:
"The Saudis
buy UK weapons
to bomb
Yemen—but the
UN envoy to
Yemen is
British." All
true.
On July 5,
hours before
Guterres' (and
the UK's and
Saudis') envoy
Martin Griffiths briefed
the UN
Security Council,
Guterres' UN
banned Inner
City Press
from entering,
and it has
been banned
for 12 days
and counting
since. Fox
News story here
("UN roughs
up, ejects,
bans reporter
from
headquarters:
Caught on
tape");
petition to
Guterres here;
GAP blogs I
and II (“Harassment
of US
Journalist
Intensifies at
the
UN”). On
July 30 (Inner
City Press is
still banned from
the UN with no
end in sight),
US State Department
spokesperson Heather
Nauert issued a
read-out
including that
"Secretary
Pompeo met
today in
Washington, DC
with Oman’s
Minister
Responsible
for Foreign
Affairs, Yusuf
bin Alawi, who
participated
in the July
24-26
Ministerial to
Advance
Religious
Freedom.
On Yemen, they
affirmed the
importance of
continued
support for
the efforts of
UN Special
Envoy Martin
Griffiths and
emphasized the
need for all
parties to
show restraint
to avoid
further
escalation of
hostilities." All
parties. The
UK becomes
president of
the UN Security
Council on August
1; watch this
site. On
July 20, NRC
on Hodeidah said
that "airstrikes,
mortar fire,
missiles and
shelling
continue to
kill, injure
and threaten
the safety of
civilian
populations,
particularly
in At Tuhayat
and Zabid
districts. NRC’s
staff inside
Hodeidah city
have described
it as a “ghost
town”, where
the bulk of
shops and
restaurants
have been
closed by
proprietors
fleeing the
city. Through
the course of
the week,
residents of
Hodeidah city
heard
low-flying
jets and heavy
airstrikes on
the outskirts
of the city. The
price of
women’s
sanitary items
has risen by
more than 15%
since May,
creating major
challenges for
women in
already
challenging
circumstances,
many of whom
are without
access to
clean water. Ali Al
Hajori, in
Hajjah, said
that 'conditions
here are
becoming
worse. People
aren’t only
arriving from
Hodeidah now,
but from areas
in the north
too. They come
in the heat
and dust with
everything
they can
carry, but it
usually isn’t
enough for
them to
survive beyond
a few days. We
are stretching
the aid we
have to reach
as many people
as possible
but it will
never
compensate for
what they lose
by leaving
their homes.' Isaac
Ooko,NRC’s
Area Manager
in Hodeidah said
that 'people
are living in
pathetic
conditions,
not fit for
humans and
completely
untenable for
those who are
most
vulnerable. I
am incredibly
proud of our
teams for
fronting up
each day to
make it
possible for
people to live
with dignity
in a situation
that otherwise
strips it from
them. What
might appear
to be a pause
to the outside
world, doesn’t
feel the same
for those of
us seeing what
it means for
people here.'
Yemen’s
Protection
Cluster
reported
severe damage
to the main
water tanks in
Al Tuhayet
district
earlier this
month, leaving
close to
100,000 people
without safe
water and at
heightened
risk of
communicable
diseases.
NRC’s staff in
Hodeidah are
continuing to
carry out our
usual cholera
prevention
programs,
focused on
ensuring
people have
access to safe
water and
hygiene
material." The
UN has a shameful
record
with cholera,
having killed
over 10,000
people in Haiti
with the
cholera UN
Peacekeeping
brought, with
not a
penny in
restitution.
On
July 13,
unable
to go to the
UN's noon
briefing as it had
been been unable
to attend
Guterres' July
12 press
conference at which
not a single
Yemen question
was asked,
Inner City
Press wrote to
Guterres'
spokesmen: "
Saudi King
Salman has
‘pre-exonerated’
all troops
fighting in
Yemen from any
accountability
issues they
may face over
their conduct
in the war, in
which
thousands of
civilians have
been killed
and wounded. A
statement
announcing the
early pardon,
released by
Saudi Arabia's
state news
agency SPA,
said the
pardon extends
to “all
military men
across the
armed forces”
taking part in
Operation
Restoring
Hope.” Given
that the SG
accepted
Saudi's $930
Million check,
what is his
comment?" There
was no answer
for four days.
On July
17, Guterres'
deputy
spokesman Farhan
Haq e-mailed
Inner City
Press that "Regarding
your earlier
question on
Yemen, we have
the following: We
are aware of
the reported
royal decree
by King
Salman. The
United Nations
does not
endorse
amnesties for
genocide, war
crimes, crimes
against
humanity or
gross
violations of
human rights. The
Secretary-General
has
consistently
reminded all
parties to the
conflict of
their
obligation to
adhere to
international
humanitarian
law, including
taking steps
to protect
civilians and
civilian
infrastructure. We
emphasize once
again that a
negotiated
political
settlement
through
inclusive
intra-Yemeni
dialogue is
the only way
to end the
conflict and
address the
ongoing
humanitarian
crisis." So
what about
that $930 million
check? And the
ongoing ban of
Inner City
Press? We'll
have more on
this. On
June 26 as
Guterres
proposed to
Security
Council to
continue to
list the Saudi
and now Emirati
led Coalition
as "good"
child killers,
Guterres' spokesman
said this
classification
is for parties
who "engage."
Inner City
Press asked if
the $930
million check
was part of the
engagement and
Dujarric
archly said
No. On
June 29,
NRC NRC
staffer, Lolah
Alkahtani, in
Sana’a: "I
am worried
that this war
will kill my
family in
Hodeidah, and
that it will
destroy our
house which my
father built
after spending
all his life
saving for it.
The word
worried
doesn’t even
describe a bit
of how we
feel.”
NRC
staffer,
Saleem
Al-Shamiri, in
Sana’a, said
"My
family in
Hodeidah city
think any
moment a bomb
will explode,
or clashes
will reach
their homes. I
have felt this
situation
myself in
2011, and
understand the
fear and panic
they feel now. While
the past days
have been
quiet, family
and friends I
have spoken to
tell me that
people don’t
dare leave
their houses.
Only a few
grocery shops
are open, and
many people
going hungry.
I sent some
money to my
family so they
can buy food,
as most people
don’t have
anything left
in their
houses. I’m
concerned that
they won’t be
able to find
food or clean
water to
survive while
the offensive
drags on.”
NRC
continued: The
fighting in
Hodeidah
continues but
is on a
relative pause
while the UN
envoy is
allowed
further time
to mediate
between the
parties to the
conflict in an
attempt to
restart peace
negotiations.
The situation
in the wider
Hodeidah area
is volatile,
and fighting
continues in
Hodeidah’s
southern
districts.
Airstrikes
have been
ongoing around
the city
although they
have slowed
this week.
People inside
Hodeidah city
tell NRC staff
that the
situation
continues to
be calm, with
only a few
clashes
reported
during the
night. Some
roads within
the city are
reportedly
closed or
partially
blocked by
defensive
entrenchments.
People inside
the city tell
NRC that most
shops,
especially in
the southern
side of the
city, remain
closed as
shopkeepers
are too scared
to open them.
Electricity is
still
unavailable in
many areas and
water remains
scarce. Most
people do not
leave their
houses unless
it’s urgent.
Many don’t
have adequate
food in their
homes and are
at the brink
of going
hungry.
Money exchange
shops are
reported to
remain mostly
closed. This
is a serious
concern in
Yemen, where
people have
been
struggling
with an
increasing
lack of cash
liquidity in
the past few
years of the
conflict.
Without access
to cash, and
with
reportedly
rising prices
of basic
goods,
civilians who
could
otherwise
survive may be
left without
food and other
necessities." Last
week, Dujarric
spoonfed sound
bytes to Al
Jazeera and is
working with
them to try to
further restrict
Inner City
Press, here -
Inner City
Press was in
fact ousted on
June 22, video
here,
story here.
On
June 26, MSF's
Caroline
Seguin gave
the following
account: "SELC-backed
forces are
currently
fighting Ansar
Allah troops
for Hodeidah
airport,
located a few
kilometers
south of the
city center.
It is very
difficult to
assess the
situation, as
we don’t have
MSF staff
inside
Hodeidah yet.
But [Yemeni]
medical staff
we work with
have reported
airstrikes and
shelling
inside the
city, and
people have
started
stockpiling
food and fuel. Ansar
Allah forces
have been very
active in
Hodeidah,
digging
trenches and
building
barricades,
[and]
deploying
troops near
civilian areas
such as
residential
zones,
hospitals, and
hotels, which
is very
worrying.
Hodeidah’s
water system
has been
affected by
these
excavations,
and water
shortages are
being reported
by residents.
Electricity
has been out
for years, and
people are
using
generators
when they can
afford them.
It is
difficult to
estimate how
many people
fled the city
so far. Inside
Hodeidah,
population
movements have
been observed
from the south
of the city to
the north.
Some displaced
families have
moved further
to neighboring
Dhamar and Ibb
governorates,
and to the
capital
Sana’a, where
they can rent
houses or stay
with
relatives.
Since the war
began in March
2015, the
average price
of fuel has
more than
doubled, so
fleeing the
city can cost
families a lot
of money." The
UN says
Griffiths
will meet with
propped up
"president'
Hadi on June
27, in Aden. Inner
City Press on
May 29 asked
Guterres'
spokesman Stephane
Dujarric about
the Saudi led
Coalition's
and UAE's moves on
Hodeida. On
June 20
after UAE
foreign
minister Anwar
Gargash delivered
the final threat (the UAE
Diplomatic Academy
has former UN
envoy to
Libya Bernardino
Leon) and
after
Dujarric
announced the
withdrawal by the
UN of its
international
staff from
Hodeidah, the
assault
began. Now on
June 21, from
the
UN's British
envoy
Martin Griffiths,
this: "I will
continue my
consultations
with all
parties to
avoid further
military
escalation in
Hudaydah,
which I fear
would have
severe
political and
humanitarian
consequences. My
priority now
is to avoid a
military
confrontation
in Hudaydah
and to swiftly
return to
political
negotiations. I
am encouraged
by the
constructive
engagement of
the Ansar
Allah
leadership in
Sana’a and I
look forward
to my upcoming
meetings with
President Hadi
and the
Government of
Yemen. I am
confident that
we can reach
an agreement
to avert any
escalation of
violence in
Hudaydah. While
in Sana’a, I
also briefed
the Security
Council on 18
June and
announced my
intention to
relaunch
political
negotiations
in the coming
weeks. I
reiterate the
commitment of
the United
Nations to
reach a
negotiated
political
settlement to
end the
conflict in
Yemen. I
welcome the
commitment and
willingness of
the parties to
engage in a UN
facilitated
intra-Yemeni
political
process."
On June 18 before
Griffiths briefed
the Security
Council, on
the way in, UK
Ambassador
Karen Pierce
said that
Griffiths is
working
closing with
the Coalition
- that is,
though
assaulting
Hodeidah. But why
then would the
Houthis trust
him? Inner
City Press was
previously
informed,
from high in
the UN
Department of
Political
Affairs, that
Saudi Arabia
and the UK chose
Griffiths and
Guterres went
along. More
recently
Guterres has mock
dressed up as
a FIFA World
Cup referee and
Inner City
Press'
livestream
Periscope
account was
suspended
by Twitter for
showing UN
reacting to
the World Cup
and a screen
installed by
the Russian
Mission to the
UN. But the
above, though
Inner City Press
was unable to
Periscope it,
is what Pierce said.
After the
meting, after
push back at
censorship and with
Inner City
Press'
Periscope
restored, it
asked Russia's
deputy
ambassador who
is calling the
shots
on Hodeidah:
the UAE?
Saudi? Yemen
national army?
Mercenaries? Periscope
here.
He
said that
wasn't
discussed in
the consultations.
How not?
Watch
this site.
The
assault is
proceeding.
There was
a UN Security
Council
meeting about
it at noon on
June 14,
behind closed doors,
at the request of
the UK. Afterward Inner
City Press
asked
President of
the Council for
June Nebenzia
what the UAE
or Saudi
Arabia had
responded, to
the UN or its
envoy.
Nebenzia said
envoy
Martin
Griffiths
works behind
the scenes.
But for whom?
On the way in,
UK Ambassador
Karen
Pierce said
the meeting
was closed so
that the
Council could
hear about the
military
situation on
the ground,
from the UN. Inner
City Press
audibly asked,
from who?
But there was
no answer, and the
question was not
included in
the UK
transcript,
below.
So in the June
14 UN noon briefing
Inner City
Press asked,
UN transcript
here:
Inner City
Press: At the
stakeout, the
UK Ambassador,
Karen Pierce,
said that…
that the
meeting… the
consultation
on Hodeidah is
closed because
the UN is
going to be
providing
detailed
information
about the
actual
situation on
the
ground.
So, I wanted
to know, can
you say who…
who from the
UN is going to
be providing
that
briefing?
And is it… can
you tell us,
you know, as
much as you
can publicly
about what's
happening
there?
Deputy
Spokesman:
The briefing,
as… as I was
going into
this, the
intention was
for it to have
the Assistant
Secretary-General
for
Humanitarian
Affairs,
Ursula
Mueller, brief
the Security
Council on the
humanitarian
conditions in
Hodeidah.
At the top of
the briefing,
I did point
out what our
Humanitarian
Coordinator
for Yemen,
Lise Grande,
is saying
about the
situation
there and
about the work
that we're
undertaking to
help the
estimated
600,000
civilians in
the
city.
There's a
press release
from her with
more details.
Inner
City Press:
I
guess… my
question is
just, because
Karen Pierce
referred
specifically
to military
information,
she said the
meeting had to
be closed
because they
want to know
the stat… the
military
status of the
assault on
Hodeidah.
And so I guess
I'm wondering,
does Ms.
Mueller…
who's… who's
providing from
the UN system…
who's
providing that
information?
Is it through
OCHA (Office
for the
Coordination
of
Humanitarian
Affairs)?
Is there
some…?
Deputy
Spokesman:
I believe
that…
regarding
political
developments
that Martin
Griffiths will
also be
calling in to
that briefing.
Inner
City Press:
Right, but she
kept using the
word
“military”.
That's why…
I'm just
trying to
figure out if
there's some…
is it the
national staff
that are in
Hodeidah that
would provide
this
information?
Deputy
Spokesman:
There…
obviously, the
details that
are going on
in closed
consultations
are by
definition
details to
which I'm not
privy, so I
wouldn't be
able to
express those." So
the UN's
knowledge is
withheld from
the UN
spokespeople?
On June 15, Haq
repeatedly
said, the UN
is on holiday; state
media like
Egypt's Akhbar al
Yom could come
in to work but
Inner City Press cannot.
This
is today's
UN. From
the UK's June
14 transcript,
omitting Inner
City Press' question,
here's from
Pierce's opening statement:
"We wanted it
closed because
we'd like to
have quite a
lot of detail
from the UN
about what's
actually
happening on
the ground. As
there is a
military
operation
ongoing, we
think we'll
get more of
that detail if
it's closed. I
think that's
perfectly
reasonable. We
hope also to
hear something
about Houthi
dispositions
because some
of what we
hear suggests
there may have
been mining of
the harbour by
the Houthis.
So we're very
interested in
that. Beyond
that, I'd like
to echo what
the Foreign
Secretary said
in London
yesterday. Now
the military
operation is
underway we
look to all
parties to act
in accordance
with
international
humanitarian
law,
protection of
civilians. But
I also want to
recall that
the coalition
is acting in
Yemen at the
request of the
legitimate
Yemeni
government and
this request
was made after
the Houthis
came into
force in 2014.
So I think
that's an
important
point.... We've
seen some very
helpful
statements
from the UAE
about their
respect for
international
humanitarian
law but also
their
willingness to
work with the
UN." On
June 13 Inner
City Press asked
Guterres'
spokesman Stephane
Dujarric, UN
transcript here: Inner
City
Press: I
wanted to ask
you, on Yemen who
the UN thinks
is calling the
shots. The
various calls
that were made
to not begin
the assault
which began
last night,
many people
are saying the
UAE [United
Arab Emirates]
as opp… not as
opposed to but
along with
Saudi Arabia,
but that the
UAE is very
central to
it. And
so, I guess I…
and they made
the
threat.
The Foreign
Minister of
the UAE said,
48 hours and
we're going
in. Did
the
Secretary-General
or Mart… or…
or Mr. Martin
Griffiths… at
what level
have they
reached out to
the UAE to…?
Spokesman:
They've
reached to…
they've been
speaking to
various
parties to
those who have
influence on
the parties,
but I'm not
going to get
into details
about that.
Inner
City Press:
And
I'm asking in
part because
former UN
envoy to
Libya,
Bernardino
León, with
some fanfare,
went to be… is
a… I don't
know if he's
the head of,
but he's a
major figure
in the UAE
Diplomatic
Academy…?
Spokesman:
I recall.
Inner
City Press:
Yeah,
exactly.
So, I guess
I'm wondering…
obviously,
he's no longer
with the UN,
but I would
assume he's
someone that
UN people
know… this
seems like a
diplomatic
gambit to make
a threat…
Spokesman:
I'm not aware
that Mr. León
has had any
contact with
anyone at the
UN.
Inner
City Press:
Okay.
And I guess,
given… given
that… that…
the… the
statement by
UNICEF about
the impact on
children in…
in Hodeidah —
and this was a
statement made
before the
assault began
— and given
the… the… the
children and
armed conflict
mandate, would
you say that
this is
inconsistent
with having
listed the
Coalition, or
does it cause
a rethinking
of listing the
Coalition as
one that takes
children's
safety
seriously?
Spokesman:
The safety and
the violence…
the safety of
children, the
violence
caused upon
children, is
one of great
concern to the
Secretary-General
that has been
going on in
Yemen.
There is a
process under
which the
report of… the
Secretary-General's
report on
children and
armed conflict
is being
produced.
It should be
coming out
soon-ish.
That report
will look back
at 2017, and
you'll be free
to make your
own analysis." Inner
City Press put
the same
question about
reaching out
to the UAE to
Sweden's
deputy
ambassador
Carl Skau,
video here;
he said the key
is to support
Griffiths (who
is in Amman).
Military vehicles
moved on Hodeida firing and
bombs were
dropped.
Saudi TV said
the "liberation
of the port of
Hodeida is a
milestone in
our struggle
to regain
Yemen from the
militias.” Houthi-run
Al Masirah said
they hit
a Saudi
coalition ship
near Hodeida
with two
land-to-sea
missiles. "The
targeted ship
was carrying
troops
prepared for a
landing on the
coast of
Hodeida." Guterres
was silent. But
at 7 am on
June 13, ICRC
put out a
statement
including from Robert
Mardini, their
regional
director for
the Near and
Middle East that "lifelines
to the outside
world must be
maintained,
including the
Hodeida port
and the Sana'a
airport. Real
people, real
families, will
suffer if no
food is
getting in,
and we are
concerned that
ongoing
military
operations
continue to
hamper the
arrival of
essential
goods.... The
ICRC – working
in line with
international
humanitarian
law - urges
all parties to
the conflict
to respect
civilian life
by taking
every possible
measure to
protect
civilians, and
to allow safe
passage for
those who want
to escape the
fighting. All
persons
captured in
relation to
the ongoing
hostilities
must be
treated
humanely, and
the ICRC
should be
given access
to detention
facilities
holding
them."
The Council
meets on
June 13 at 10
am - about
Central Africa
including
Cameroon. The
General Assembly meets at
3 pm about
Gaza. Watch
this site.
Earlier on
June 12,
the Norwegian
Refugee
Council
reports that "fighting
along Yemen’s
west coast is
closing-in on
the port city
of Hodeida. The
city is tense,
amid media
reports of
airstrikes
inside the
city, most
notably in the
Al-Doraihimi
District and
the Southern
part of
Hodeida
governorate.
NRC has not
evacuated our
staff in
Hodeida, but
we continue to
monitor the
situation
extremely
closely." NRC
Country
Director in
Yemen Mohamed
Abdi said: "The
UK government
has warned aid
agencies that
it has
received
information
from Coalition
forces the
city will be
attacked in
the coming
days. Any
attack will
have
catastrophic
consequences
for civilians
– risking
hundreds of
thousands of
lives. We call
on all parties
to the
conflict to
refrain from
any further
military
activities in
and around
Hodeida city. We
urge the US,
UK and France
– as those
country that
can influence
the Coalition
- to
immediately
issue a clear
and
unequivocal
warning
against an
attack on
Hodeida city
or port." As to
the UK, Inner
City Press has
also since 2017
been pursuing
from the
Foreign and
Commonwealth
Office
information
about Yemen
under the
Freedom of
Information
Act 2000. In
February 2018,
after 170
days, FCO
denied Inner
City Press'
request in
full. Inner
City Press
immediately
sought an
internal
review and FCO. Now
that has resulted
in the
release of
some superficial
documents about
Yemen, here, including for
example "7.
The UN Special
Envoy has said
the next round
of peace talks
are not likely
to start
before the end
of March.
[REDACTED] The
next phase of
preparations needs
to focus on
reinforcing
efforts of the
Military
De-escalation
and
Coordination
Committee.
Meanwhile, HMG
is continuing
to work
closely with
the UN,
US and World
Bank on the
socio-economic
confidence
building
measures.
8. Military
activity
continues with
isolated
clashes
throughout the
country. [REDACTED]
Since December
there has been
significant
military
movement around
Sana’a
[REDACTED]
there are
reports of
Houthi/Saleh
forces moving from
Taiz to
reinforce
positions in
Sana’a.
[REDACTED]
Houthi/Saleh
forces
continue to
target Saudi
Arabia with
ballistic
missiles with
accuracy." The
rest is,
for example,
about interest in
women in the failing
peace process,
and the denial of
all other
records. The
"internal
review" denial
letter
states, "The
disclosure of
information
detailing our
relationship
with the Yemen
and Cameroon
governments
could
potentially
damage the
bilateral
relationship
between the UK
and Yemen and
Cameroon. This
would reduce
the UK
government's
ability to
protect and
promote UK
interests
through its
relations with
Yemen and
Cameroon which
would not be
in the public
interest. For
these reasons
we consider
that, the
public
interest in
maintaining
this exemption
outweighs the
public
interest in
disclosing
it." Yes, the
UK promotes
its interests.
We will be
pursuing this
- watch this
site. On
June 11, even
as Doctors
Without Borders
MSF said that "this
morning's
attack on an
MSF cholera
treatment
center by the
Saudi and
Emirati-led
coalition
(SELC) shows
complete
disrespect for
medical
facilities and
patients,"
Guterres took
three
pre-picked
questions and
claimed
there is a
"lull" in
fight in
Yemen. Do they
not have the
Internet on his
38th floor of
the UN? Or is
this the effect of
The Check,
like some say
of the Golden
Statue? Inner
City Press,
not called on
and with the
noon briefing
canceled by
Dujarric,
audibly asked
Guterres about
the bombing of
the MSF clinic.
Periscope
video here.
Nothing. On
Sunday June 10
the UN
Security
Council has
scheduled a closed
door meeting
on Yemen
for June 11 at 11 am.
Inner City
Press asked
the Presidency of
the Council
for June who
requested it
and who will do the
briefing.
The response
was that both
the UN
Department of
Political
Affairs and OCHA
will brief and
that the UK
requested it.
On the UK
Mission's twitter
feed, nothing.
And the UK
Foreign and
Commonwealth
Office denied
in full Inner
City Press's
Freedom of Information
Act request
about Yemen. Two hours
before the
UNSC briefing
US Secretary
of State Mike
Pompeo
issued this
statement: "The
United States
is closely
following
developments
in Hudaydah,
Yemen. I
have spoken
with Emirati
leaders and
made clear our
desire to
address their
security
concerns while
preserving the
free flow of
humanitarian
aid and
life-saving
commercial
imports.
We expect all
parties to
honor their
commitments to
work with the
UN Office of
the Special
Envoy of the
Secretary
General for
Yemen on this
issue, support
a political
process to
resolve this
conflict,
ensure
humanitarian
access to the
Yemeni people,
and map a
stable
political
future for
Yemen." We'll
have more on
this. On
June 7, Inner
City Press
asked Dujarric
again, UN transcript
here: Inner
City Press: in
terms of
Yemen, just in
terms of
Martin
Griffiths and
his plan, it
seems like
the… the
Norwegian
Refugee
Council (NRC)
has called on
the Saudi-led
coalition to
investigate
the… a bomb
that fell
right next to
its facility
in Sana’a on 5
June.
And I'm just
wondering,
one, is Mr.
Griffiths or
whoever here
in the
Secretariat is
looking at
this, are they
satisfied with
the way in
which the
Saudi-led
coalition has
investigated
and acted on
its
bombs?
And what's the
status of the
children and
armed conflict
report, which
I know last
year they were
upgraded in
terms of
their attempts
to minimize
civilian
casualties.
And it looks
like NRC is
saying these
steps are not
having any
impact.
Spokesman:
Well, the
report should
be out
soon.
The report
will be
looking at the
year of
2017.
Right?
But it will be
sent to the
Council
probably not…
next couple
weeks, not too
long from
now. We
have been
continuously
concerned with
the civilian
death toll,
the attacks on
civilians, the
attack on
civilian
infrastructure.
And we have
repeatedly
called on the
coalition and
other parties
to fully
investigate
those
incidents." Back
on June 1
Inner City
Press asked UN
Security Council President
for June
Vassily
Nebenzia, who
said that
seizing
Hodeida would
not accomplish
much and that
he hoped UN envoy
Martin
Griffiths
would be in
Sana'a soon
to speak
with the
Houthis. On
June 2 Martin
Griffiths
landed,
perhaps as the
velvet glove of
the Saudi
and UAE military offensive.
Shouldn't the
UN be
providing more
transparency,
rather
than a Secretary
General who refuses
to answer even
budget
questions and
still restricts
the
Press?
On June 5,
Inner City
Press asked Jonathan
Allen the
deputy
ambassador of
the UK,
penholder on
Yemen, about
requests to
help seize
Hodeida. UN
video here. From the
UK transcript:
Inner City
Press: As the
penholder on
Yemen, what do
you make of
these requests
to the US to
help with
taking over
the port of
Hodeida.
What’s the
status of your
view of what’s
happening on
the ground? Amb Allen: "I’ve
seen those
reports as
well. We
support
everything
Martin
Griffiths is
trying to do
to bring about
a political
solution in
Yemen. That’s
vital. He will
be talking to
the parties
and he’ll be
bringing
forward
proposals in
due course so
we wait to see
what he has to
say about
that." And what
happens until
then? Is
Griffiths
essentially
trying to talk
the Houthis
into giving up
Hodeida?
On May 29
in
response to
Inner City
Press'
question, Dujarric
said, "We are
extremely
concerned
about the
situation
around Hodeida [and
have]
already
started to
take
precautionary
measures in
terms of
ramping up
assistance and
redefining
contingency
plans in case
there is
further
escalation.Increased
fighting would
unleash even
more
internally
displaced
people."
(Agence France
Presse AFP
wrote it up as
if the UN
had said it
unilateral, a
proactive statement
- but it was a
response to the
Press. If the
UN was so concerned,
why didn't it
say anything until
asked?)
Inner City
Press on May 7
asked the
Deputy UN
Ambassador of
the UK,
penholder on
Yemen and arms
seller to
Saudi Arabia,
a Yemen
question on
which they
were, they
said, to
revert, see
Periscope
video here
and below. But
in three
days, there had
been no
response from
the UN Mission
of the UK,
which this
year denied in
full Inner
City Press'
request
about Yemen
and Cameroon
under the UK
Freedom of
Information
Act. So on May
10 Inner City
Press asked
again, video here.
And soon this
comment, from
a Spokesperson
for the UK
Mission: “The
UK is closely
following the
situation on
the Yemeni
island of
Socotra. We
continue to
engage all
parties to
reinforce
Yemen’s
sovereignty
and
territorial
integrity, as
well as the
need for
de-escalation.
The Yemeni
people have
already
suffered
immeasurably
as a result of
the ongoing
conflict in
Yemen. Yemen
cannot afford
further
divisions. We
call on all
parties to the
conflict to
support the
UN-led
political
process." A day
earlier on
May 9, the US
State
Department
issued this:
"The United
States is
closely
following the
situation on
the Yemeni
island of
Socotra and
engaging with
all parties to
reinforce
Yemen’s
sovereignty
and
territorial
integrity, as
well as the
need for
de-escalation
and
dialogue.
Political
dialogue is
necessary for
the Republic
of Yemen
Government to
rightfully
ensure the
safety and
security of
its residents
on Socotra and
throughout the
rest of the
country.
The Socotra
archipelago
has been
designated by
UNESCO as a
World Heritage
site.
The Yemeni
people, along
with their
unique
cultural and
natural
heritage, have
already
suffered
immeasurably
as a result of
the ongoing
conflict in
Yemen.
Yemen cannot
afford further
divisions.
The United
States calls
on all parties
to the
conflict to
focus on and
embrace the
UN-led
political
process, with
the unified
aim of a safe,
secure, and
prosperous
Yemen." At to
the UN, the
occasion for
the check
giving was
Guterres
accepting a
$930 million
check for the
2018 Yemen
Humanitarian
Response Plan.
But that's not
the only
buying going
on. Former UN
Yemen envoy
Ismail Ould
Cheikh Ahmed
reportedly
went to the
United Arab
Emirates
seeking a paid
job like
Bernardino
Leon got
there,
negotiated
while still
with the UN.
The UAE is
also said to
be looking for
a place or
landing for UN
counter-terrorism
official
Jahangir Khan.
Would this be
ethical? Inner
City Press
asked that on
April 25, see
below - and on
May 3 asked
about the
UAE's
deployment on
Socotra
Island. UN
transcript here and
below. And
while the UN
and envoy
Martin
Griffiths have
had nothing to
say, now even
Hadi is
complaining.
“The
government is
considering
sending a
letter to the
United Nations
demanding the
dismissal of
the Emiratis
from the
Yemeni
intervention,”
a Hadi
official said,
adding that
"the UAE has
occupied the
airport and
seaport of
Socotra
island,
despite the
Yemeni
government's
presence
there. What
the UAE is
doing in
Socotra is an
act of
aggression."
And the UN and
its envoy
remain silent.
On May 7 Inner
City Press
asked UK
Ambassador
Allen about it
and he said he
was not aware,
his spokesman
would revert.
Here's what
Inner City
Press asked
the UN on May
3: Inner City
Press: on
Yemen, and
it's a
specific
question, the
UAE (United
Nations Arab
Emirates) has
deployed some
100 soldiers
to Socotra
Island, which
is a UNESCO
World Heritage
Site.
And the
residents
there — it's
part of
Yemen.
It's not part
of the UAE —
have been
protesting
it. And
I'm wondering
whether it's
something that
Mr. Martin
Griffiths is
aware of and
whether he
thinks it's a…
complies with…
even with
international
law or is a
useful step to
have the UAE
making a
military
deployment on
Yemen Socotra
Island.
Deputy
Spokesman:
"We haven't
made any
comment on
this.
I'll see
whether
there's any
particular
position that
Mr. Griffiths
is
taking.
But his work,
as you know,
is focused
primarily on
making sure
that the
parties to the
Yemen peace
process get
back to the
table." Six
hours later,
nothing from
Haq or
Griffiths. On
April 25 Inner
City Press
asked
Guterres'
spokesman
Stephane
Dujarric, UN
transcript here: Inner
City Press:
There are
published
reports that
the United
Arab Emirates
(UAE) is
seeking to
create an
offer position
to Mr.
Jehangir Khan,
a current UN
official, in
the same way
that
Bernardino
León moved
from being the
UN envoy in
Libya to
working for
the diplomatic
one.
It's said that
they're
seeking a
counter-terrorism
post for
him.
It's also said
that Mr.
Ismail Ould
Cheikh Ahmed
recently
visited the
UAE and sought
a UAE-funded
position.
I don't know…
can you
distinguish…
one, would it
be against UN
rules for a
current UN
official to be
seeking a job…
Spokesman:
First of all,
on Mr.
Jehangir Kahn,
as far as I
understand,
those reports
are
false.
Second…
Inner
City
Press:
Ismail Ould
Cheikh Ahmed.
Spokesman:
…On Ismail
Ould Cheikh
Ahmed, he no
longer works
with the
United
Nations, so I
have no way to
verify what
his
whereabouts
are. And
I know that he
discharged his
role as
Special Envoy
with complete
impartiality
and only
keeping the
interests of
the United
Nations at the
centre of his
work.
Inner City
Press:
Are there any
kind of what's
called
anti-revolving-door
provisions?
Meaning, would
the
Secretary-General
view it as
normal and
fine if a
recent UN
official went
to work, you
could say it's
hypothetical,
but since it
happened in
the case
Bernardino
León, what are
the current
rules and best
practices for
UN officials
when they
leave a UN
post?
Spokesman:
I think
everyone
expects people
to use their
best
judgment.
Evelyn?"
We'll have
more on this.
***
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