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

By Matthew Russell Lee, Documents

UNITED NATIONS, June 14 – 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. Inner City Press on May 29 asked Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric about the Saudi led Coalition's and UAE's moves on Hodeida. Now on June 13 after UAE foreign minister Anwar Gargash delivered the final threat (the UAE Diplomatic Academy has former UN envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon) and Dujarric announced the withdrawal by the UN of its international staff from Hodeida, the assault is proceeding. There will be a UN Security Council meeting about it at noon on June 14, behind closed doors, at the request of the UK. In advance, the Norwegian Refugee Council's Acting Country Director in Yemen, Christopher Mzembe said:“The attacks we have feared and warned against are no longer impending, but underway. As airstrikes intensify and front lines move closer to Hodeidah city, so does the very real threat of harm to civilians in Hodeidah. We urge parties to this conflict to recognize the very grave consequences of warfare played out in a densely-populated city and return to political negotiations geared at ending this conflict without causing more destruction.” NRC adds that "since the Saudi-led Coalition offensive on Hodeidah started yesterday, people in the governorate have reported heavy airstrikes along coastal areas and roads in districts south of Hodeidah city... NRC programs in Hodeidah and Hajjah are severely disrupted by fighting of the kind we are seeing now, but NRC has not evacuated any staff from Hodeidah or elsewhere in the country. Our teams remain on standby to move to people in need with food, clean water and support with shelter as soon as the situation allows them to do so safely. NRC staff in Hodeida report that the sound of shelling is getting closer. Nearly 15 per cent of all suspected cholera cases since the initial outbreak in April 2017, have occurred in Hodeidah governorate, foretelling very high risk of a second outbreak if water supplies are disrupted or cut off completely." The UN, of course, has its own history with cholera, for example having introduced it to Haiti. 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.

***

Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com

UN Office: S-303, UN, NY 10017 USA

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 2006-2015 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com for