Somalia Sanctions Violated by US, France, UK & Even UN, Bax & Ladsous
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, July 25, 2013 -- The UN's Somalia sanctions report
<
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2013/413&referer=http://t
.co/2owBGknXut&Lang=E> , in portions scarcely reported
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/unsanc1reuters071713.html> by Western wire
services <
http://www.innercitypress.com/dpiunca1collude062413.html> , notes
violations by France, the US, the UK and the UN itself.
Can the UN violate its own sanctions? It does: see Report
<
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2013/413&referer=http://t
.co/2owBGknXut&Lang=E> at Page 333, Paragraph 88 and below.
The UK among other things brought in weapons for its private security
provider, G4S Security Services.
Now the UK's Nicholas Kay is in charge of the UN's Somalia mission; while
responsive, he has declined to answer
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/unmas5somalia070113.html> about UN Mine
Action Service chief David Bax providing information to US intelligence
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/unmas4somalia062613.html> , telling Inner
City Press this is a "question for New York" - where UNMAS and the
Department of Peacekeeping Operations under Frenchman Herve Ladsous do not
answer. <
http://youtu.be/rm1V-cY9u40>
As to France, the recent report says that "according to civil aviation
records, the Government of France operated three military cargo flights to
Somalia in October 2012, and one in February 2013, plus two military
helicopter flights in August and December 2012 from Djibouti to Hargeisa. On
24 October 2012, the Monitoring Group witnessed at Mogadishu airport a large
quantity of cargo, including large wooden boxes, being offloaded by
unidentified French personnel, with the assistance of AMISOM military
personnel, from a French military Transall registered 61-ZA.
"The Monitoring Group is unaware of any notification by France to the
Committee concerning military flights to Somalia, except the one approved by
the Committee in December 2012. On 17 April 2013, the Monitoring Group sent
a letter to the Government of France requesting clarification and additional
information. In a letter dated 30 April 2013, the French Government
confirmed to the Committee that such flights were conducted in order to
transport support and assistance to Somali security sector institutions."
As to the United States, and as may relate to Bax and UNMAS, the report
states that "between 14 September 2010 and 30 March 2013, the Monitoring
Group counted 236 flights to Somalia operated by Prescott Support Co. and
RAM Air Services, mostly originating from Djibouti and bound for Bosaso and
Galkayo, and sometimes Mogadishu.. These two U.S.-based private air
companies operate flights to Somalia on behalf of the U.S. Government in
support of Somali security sector institutions.
"On one occasion, the Monitoring Group received uncorroborated information
about the boarding at Galkayo airport of a handcuffed and blindfolded
passenger, accompanied by several other individuals. However, the United
States Government has not replied to date to the Monitoring Group's request
for additional information, including the passenger list, flight plan and
cargo manifest, concerning that flight."
And yet the UN (and US) demand compliance by others.
As to the UN, the report states flatly that since January 2012, since
January 2012, the UN "has provided Somali security forces with vehicles,and
police and communication equipment, in technical violation of the arms
embargo on Somalia." Now what? Watch this site.
****************************************************************************
*******************************
On S. Sudan Firings & Oil, IMF Says Effects Will Be "Severe," UN Mute
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, July 25, 2013 updated -- While the UN has yet to speak on
the mass firing of ministers by South Sudan's Salva Kiir, when Inner City
Press asked the International Monetary Fund at its embargoed Thursday
briefing, the IMF by contrast has an answer.
Inner City Press asked, "On South Sudan, how does IMF view the recent firing
of Vice President and ministers... Petroleum Act and impending shut off of
oil, what impact may these have?"
IMF deputy spokesperson William Murray said, "the effect on South Sudan and
Sudan are likely to be quite severe, given the run down of their reserve
buffers since 2011 and a progressive build up of economic and social
tension."
About the firings, Murray said the IMF can't be precise what they mean for
severe economic dislocation. But, he said, the IMF "hopes both countries
implement their recent agreements." Who doesn't?
Simultaneously at the UN in New York, US Secretary of State John Kerry
<
https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/360399737221963776> brought up
South Sudan, or really Jonglei state, making a call for humanitarian access
on President Kiir
<
https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/360398619301519364> "and others."
What others?
Kerry was at the UN for a meeting about the Great Lakes region, with by
video Jim Kim, president of the World Bank (but no one from the IMF) in
attendance. But even Ban Ki-moon said the "first" order of business was
Syria. And his UN has yet to speak about the firings in South Sudan. Is he
waiting for instructions? Watch this site.
Footnote: Inner City Press has also asked the IMF about Belarus and Burundi:
"On Burundi, what is IMF's advice to the country, does the IMF share
concerns (such as those expressed by UN Peacebuilding configuration chair
this week), what are the next steps?"
Update: After embargo, this arrives from an IMF spokesperson on Burundi -
and on a previously asked Zimbabwe question:
. "The IMF continues to be engaged with Burundi through a three-year
financing arrangement aimed at mobilizing domestic revenues, catalyzing
donor support and strengthening public financial management.
. In order to keep the program on track in light of recent revenue
slippages, the authorities submitted a revised budget to parliament this
week. This will provide a framework for continued donor engagement through a
series of sectoral conferences related to the implementation of projects in
the priority sectors outlined within the authorities' Poverty Reduction
Strategy.
On Zimbabwe, the World Bank's country manager has said that "arrears
clearance is the main thing." Does the IMF agree? What is the IMF look for
from Zimbabwe?
. Zimbabwe is currently making payments to the Fund (and to the World bank
and African Development Bank as well), but the country remains in arrears to
the IMF and other multilateral and bilateral creditors
. We agree with the authorities that a comprehensive arrears clearance
strategy supported by development partners will be essential for Zimbabwe
going forward.
. The IMF supports the Zimbabwean authorities' efforts to work towards
arrears clearance.
Received on Fri Jul 26 2013 - 12:31:45 EDT