From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Mon Dec 21 2009 - 19:51:30 EST
http://www.innercitypress.com/unsc1eriwsguin122109.html
As UN Council Delays Eritrea Sanctions and Guinea, Buries W. Sahara, France
in Mix
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, December 21 -- With Christmas four days away, the UN
Security Council has scheduled a December 23 vote on sanctions on Eritrea,
delayed at the request of France, while putting off consideration of the
UN's report on war crimes in Guinea, because it is only in French. Meanwhile
the promised briefing on Western Sahara, Moroccan sources gleefully tell
Inner City Press, may not take place at all. Is this any way to run a
Council and world?
Inner City Press asked this month's Council president Michel Kafando of
Burkina Faso what has happened to the briefing on Western Sahara, which
several Council members affirm was agreed to be consensus last week. "We are
still in consultations," Kafando answered. Video here, from Minute 6:07.
Asked when the Council will meet on the already leaked report on war
crimes in Guinea, Kafando claimed that the Council does not yet have the
report. Later at the stakeout it was clarified that until the report is
translated from French into English, the Council will not meet on it.
Whether the translation can be done and distributed by Wednesday is not
clear.
Murkiest of all is the resolution imposing sanctions on Eritrea. Last week
it was said it would be put to a vote on Monday, with Libya abstaining or
voting "no."
UN's Ban with Council members, Sahara briefing not shown
But on Monday a Permanent Five member of the Council told Inner City Press
that "France asked Uganda for a delay." Uganda, an IGAD member, is the
ostensible sponsor of the resolution, and has confirmed France's request.
Inner City Press has asked why France moved for the delay on the Horn of
Africa sanctions resolution without receiving any on the record answer.
Later, sources alluded to some unresolved French hostage issues. Watch this
site.
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