BULLY BOY PRESS & CEDRIC'S BIG MIX -- THE KOOL-AID TABLE
CELEBRITY IN CHIEF BARRY O HAS NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT THE ISSUE OF GUN CONTROL BUT, LIKE SO MANY STARLETS WORKING THE RED CARPET, HE'S HAPPY TO TELL YOU WHO HE'S WEARING.
"THANK YOU," SAID AN EXCITED BARRY O TODAY, "I'M GLAD TO BE HEAR. AND I'M WEARING DAVID BECKHAM'S PANTIES."
"THEY'RE ONE OF A KIND," BARRY O CONTINUED. "THEY ARRIVED DAMP AND MUSKY, WELL WORN AND I JUST HAD TO SLIP THEM ON. DAVID BECKAHM'S PANTIES, EVERYBODY, DAVID BECKHAM!"
AND WITH A BROAD WAVE, BARRY O SAUNTERED ON HIS WAY.
FROM THE TCI WIRE:
This morning there were many interesting articles about Martin
Kobler's presentation on Iraq to the United Nation's Security Council
yesterday. Kobler is the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Iraq.
And the few articles this morning about the presentation were nothing
like what Kobler delivered yesterday. (This afternoon, UPI produced a
report that demonstrated their correspondent saw the actual
presentation.) But the reports this morning were a lot like the press
conference Kobler held after -- about an hour after -- the Security
Council presentation. You have to wonder how editorial boards ever
pretend to have an ethical stature to call others out from when their
reporters lie? A press briefing is not the report Kobler presented to
the UN Security Council.
Kobler's report was
interesting for what it said. It was even more interesting for what it
didn't say but you probably needed to hear the report to know that and
you probably needed to have heard the April report to be able to offer
context in July.
April 10th was when he made his previous presentation and we covered that in the April 10th snapshot and the April 11th snapshot. His Thursday report we covered yesterday
and we'll continue that coverage now. When we left off yesterday, he
was talking about 12 acts of violence a day and over 1,300
UN
Special Envoy Martin Kobler: Each victim is one victim too many. The
Iraqi authorities must continue to make every effort to identify the
perpetrators of these acts of violence and bring them to justice. These
attacks are intended to ignite further violence. Despite the
sufferings, Iraqis from all walks of life and religious backgrounds must
turn their backs on past divisions and unite for a peaceful future.
Mr. President, human rights are a cornerstone of Iraq's democratic
future and are at the core of United Nations mandate in Iraq. To this
end, UNAMI [United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq] continues to
support activities of the Ministry of Human Rights in ensuring that Iraq
meets its international humanitarian rights obligations. As I informed
the Council members last April, the Council of Representatives endorsed
the appointment of the Commissioners of Iraq's first Independent High
Commission for Human Rights. And I am pleased to further report the
commissioners have now met and started their work. UNAMI and UNDP
[United Nations Development Programme] are supporting the Commission in
this process. The findings of the 2011 United Nations report on the
Human Rights Situation in Iraq published in May underlined the fragility
of human rights situation in Iraq. The report's conclusions largely
coincided with the Ministry of Human Rights own findings. While it is
recognized that the government of Iraq has made progress in implementing
measures to protect and promote human rights, the impact on the overall
human rights situation remains limited. The UN is assisting the Iraqi
authorities in strengthening the rule of law and boosting protections
for human rights in Iraq to bring an end to abuses like arbitrary
arrests and detentions. The economic, culture and social rights of
Iraqis are also a matter of real concern. Poverty, high unemployment,
economic stagnation, environmental degradation and a lack of basic
services continue to effect large sections of the population. It is
vital that Iraqis -- in particular, vulnerable groups -- be provided
with better access to basic services, social welfare and community
development programs and opportunities for education. Nothing less is
required in order to provide for the success of future generations. The
rights of all Iraqis -- including minorities -- must be protected as
stipulated in the Iraqi Contrib -- Iraqi Constitution. Mr. President,
Iraq retains the death penalty for a large number of crimes. I
therefore reiterate the call by the Secretary-General [Ban Ki-moon] and
the High Commissioner of Human Rights for the government of Iraq to
establish a moratorium on all executions with a view to their
abolition. I welcome that the authorities of the Kurdistan Region
continue to implement a moratorium on carrying out executions which has
been in place since 2007.
That's
not the end of his report. We'll continue noting from there in order
but we're breaking parts up. It was interesting how in both the written
report (July 11th) and the oral report Kobler gave yesterday, the
Russian bikers were ignored. 5 men threatened with the death penalty, 5
men arrested and beaten. An international incident and not a word on
it. But Kobler wasn't very interested in words. There was time to
whine about his budget taking a 20% cut next year but not time to note,
as the written report did:
Journalists
and media professionals in Iraq continue to face arbitrary arrest and
detention and to suffer from intimidation and attacks as a result of
their profession. During the reporting period, UNESCO and UNOPS [United
Nations Office for Project Services] trained 240 media professionals in
Basra, Erbil and Baghdad on security, self-protection, risk management
and trauma first aid to enable them to cope with existing professional
threats and risks.
The
issue so bothered Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that he raised it twice
in the written report (the first time is quoted above). When Kobler
states he's repeating the Secretary-General's point about stopping death
penalty, he's referring to the written report (it's the 72nd paragraph
in the written report).
Iraq being discussed
before the UN. That means what topic gets touched on that the US media
usually ignores? Chapter VII. Iraq was placed in that status by the
UN as a result of Iraq's war on Kuwait.
Speical
Envoy Martin Kobler: Let me now turn to some of the regional and
international developments pertaining to Iraq. As you know, Prime
Minister Maliki's visit to Kuwait in March was followed by the historic
visit of the Emir of Kuwait [Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah] to
Baghdad to attend the Arab League Summit. These two visits have
markedly improved bi-later relations between Kuwait and Iraq and
facilitated the resumption of the meetings of the Joint Ministerial
Committee. Iraq has also taken decisive steps to finalize the
Iraqi-Kuwait border maintenance project in accordance with Resolution
833. At the request of both parties, the United Nations is preparing
now for maintenance work to start by 31st of October provided that key
prerequisites -- like the removal of obstacles on the borders -- are met
bringing all Chapter VII obligations pertaining to Kuwait to a
satisfactory close will boost prospects for bilateral trade,
investment, promote regional cooperation and lead to the restoration of
Iraq's rightful standing within the international community. In this
regard, I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome the
adoption of on 28th of June by the Council of Representatives of a law
ratifying the additional protocol to the Comprehensive Safeguards
Agreement of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] and encourage
the government of Iraq to take the remaining steps to ensure its entry
into force as soon as possible. Mr. President, the intensity and
frequency of sand and dust storms mainly generated from inside Iraq has
increased in recent years. They have significant impact on public
health in Iraq and in the wider region -- especially for the most
vulnerable -- and they effect transport and trade. During my visit to
Kuwait in June and following an offer by the Emir of Kuwait to invest a
portion of Iraq's outstanding war compensation funds back into Iraq, I
proposed an environmental fund to combat sand and dust storms. If Iraq
and Kuwait agree, the fund could be used to undertake activities to
reduce this health hazard which is impeding daily life in the region.
Such activities might include improving water resource management, anti
desertification, re-forestification and agricultural projects. Mr.
President, needless to say that the ongoing violence in Syria is a
source of deep concern given the potential for the spread of instability
and violence, humanitarian fall out and political repercussions. The
UN system in Iraq is putting in place contingency plans for possible
humanitarian emergency. In this connection, I recently visited a
refugee camp in the Kurdistan Region for those displaced by the conflict
in Syria. So far, with 7,000 refugees, their number are manageable.
On 10th of July, the United Nations and League of Arab States
Joint-Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Kofi Anan, visited Iraq and met with
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The government of Iraq was very clear
on the policy of a political transition that is Syrian-led and
Syrian-owned and ensures that the legitimate and democratic aspirations
of the Syrian people are fully realized.
So
there's a refugee camp in the KRG. And the KRG has a moratorium on the
death penalty. Wonder how much bleaker the state of Iraq would be
reported to the Security Council as being if the Special Envoy didn't
keep including the semi-autonomous KRG region?
As he continues, he'll note some basic numbers.
Special
Envoy Martin Kobler: Mr. President, the United Nations in Iraq also
continues to support the development of effective, accountable and
transparent state institutions. My new deputy and resident humanitarian
coordinator for Iraq, Ms. Jacqueline Babcock, took up her duties on
13th of May. She has already shown her determination and leadership in
coordinating the UN country team to deliver as one. I have asked her to
ensure that the country team strengthens its presence and activities
across the country. This is taking shape in Basra. There, the UN funds
and programs can assist in bringing the quality of life in this oil rich
province to those levels found in other oil rich countries in the
region. Mr. President, let me briefly highlight two of the priority
areas with important political, security and development implications
where the UN system in Iraq is working together. Iraq is one of the
most youthful countries in the world with 50% of the population under
the age of 18. At the same time, the unemployment rate for youth is
more than double the domestic average with 23%. The UN system is
supporting programs aimed at increasing youth participation in social,
political and economic spheres. Building on the International Year of
Youth 2011, the UN is supporting civil-society groups to strengthen
their role in ensuring democratic spaces and freedom. The third UNDP
National Development Report focuses on youth and will be published later
this year. As with youth, women are important actors in Iraq's
development. Yet the illiteracy rate among Iraqi women is more than
double that of Iraqi men. In my meetings with the Iraqi governmental
interloculators, as well as women's civil-society organizations, I
advocate for the adoption and implementation of the proposed National
Strategy on the Advancement of Women. The UN family is working to
support women take up their role also in political and economic life.
The UN is also continuing to implement Security Council Resolution 1322
and to encourage the government to fulfill its committment in this
regard.
Now we're
getting to Camp Ashraf. Camp Ashraf were approximately 3,500 residents
who were Iranian dissidents. They came to Iraq in the 80s and had
protection up to the Iraq War. When the US-launched war toppled the
government of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, the US government --
largely via US military officers -- began a dialogue with the residents
which resulted in their surrendering their arms and becoming protected
persons under the Geneva Agreement and international law. Though never
legally revoked, that protection would be ignored once Barack Obama was
sworn in as US president. Nouri would twice attack the camp resulting
in multiple deaths and a large number of wounded. Humanitarian
organizations -- Amnesty, for example -- would decry the attacks but the
US government would remain silent. When you read over Kobler's remarks
in a second, focus on what's really harming Camp Ashraf right now.
UN
Special Envoy Martin Kobler: Finally, Mr. President, I still remain
very concerned by the lack of progress in resolving the issue of Camp
Ashraf. 2,000 residents of Camp Ashraf have relocated to Camp Hurriyah
[Liberty] in the last months. Approximately 1,200 remain in Camp
Ashraf. The several deadlines set by the government of Iraq have been
extended. I thank the government of Iraq for their flexibility in this
regard and I appeal to the Iraqi authorities to continue the process to
resolve the relocation peacefully. Our committment is strictly
humanitarian, to facilitate a voluntary, temporary relocation of
residents to Camp Hurriyah as the first step of resettlement to
countries outside of Iraq; however, the success of a facilitator depends
at least on good will. Their can be no facilitation without
constructive and practical dialogue. We are faced with three main
challenges. First, recent weeks have witnessed difficulties in
maintaining dialogue between UNAMI and the residents and between the
residents and the government of Iraq reinforcing a perception that the
residents lack genuine will to participate in the process faciliated by
UNAMI. Second, responsiblity also falls on the many international
supporters. It is of great importance that they contribute to
positively influence the residents' position. And third, to date
almost no memeber-state has stepped forward to offer resettlement to
eligible, former Ashraf residents. There must be a way out of Hurriyah
in the foreseeable future. Without prospect for resettlement, the
ongoing process runs the risk of collapsing. The tempoary transit
location at Camp Hurriyah has the capacity to accomodate the remaining
1,200 residents and meets acceptable humanitarian standards. Both UNAMI
and UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] have
devoted substantial energy and resources to resolving this issue. More
than 100 staff are dedicated to the project in the meantime. I appeal
to the government of Iraq to be generous -- particularly in terms of
humanitarian needs like water and electricity and to avoid violence
under any circumstances. I also appeal to camp residents to abide by
Iraqi laws and avoid provocation and violence. Time is running out to
find a sustainable solution. The government's patience is wearing thin.
I would therefore like to echo the Secretary-General and urge Camp
Ashraf residents to cooperate with the Iraqi authorities and to relocate
from Camp Ashraf to Camp Hurriyah. It is also imperative that third
countries step forward to accept eligible residents for resettlement as
soon as possible without which there can be no durable solution.
The residents have stopped moving to Camp Liberty. They want to take items such as generators. Why?
Nouri doesn't want them to take items such as generators. Why?
Because both sides don't believe that the Camp Ashraf residents will soon leave Camp Liberty. Why don't they believe it?
Because
no one's left so far and that's because other countries aren't willing
to take them in. In Nouri al-Maliki's view, Camp Liberty is just a
place to store Camp Ashraf residents for another lengthy period. In his
view, he's being conned and then in a year or two, he'll be told
they'll be moved somewhere else in Iraq. It's a view Camp Ashraf
residents can share. Because both they and Nouri have seen 1200 moved
and not resettled anywhere. They're just remaining in Camp Liberty, the
same way they remained in Camp Ashraf. If Nouri (or the government in
Tehran) is to believe that the residents are being resettled, they're
going to have to see some resettled. It's not that complicated.
Why
are so many nations so reluctant to take them? Because the US
government refuses to do their job. Camp Ashraf residents are part of
the MEK. The MEK is considered a terrorist group by the US government
-- the Clinton administration put them on that list in the late 90s in
an effort to make an overture to the government of Iran. Though ordered
by a federal court to resolve the MEK status quickly, the State Dept
refused and now has until October to do so or the court will impose a
punishment. (Whether Barack Obama is re-elected president or not,
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has already stated she will not serve
a second term in her post. An October deadline from the court is a
joke because the administration will treat it as such -- either because
they will quickly become a lameduck one or because they will be looking
for a new Secretary of State.) Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and
those under them have repeatedly and falsely equated MEK and Camp
Ashraf residents as one grouping.
The US
government does not recognize the MEK as protected persons. The US
government does recognize Camp Ashraf residents as protected persons.
This issue should have been resolved a long time ago, the US government
made promises and needs to keep them. The easiest way is to create an
excpetion for the Camp Ashraf residents. That's 3,200 people
currently. They are all in Iraq. Those in Iraq transferring out would
not be considered "terrorists." This is due to where they were located,
due to the stationary aspect of their location and due to the fact that
the US government already gave them protected persons status. That
status expires only when they are out of Iraq so it is in the US
government's best interests to get them out of Iraq quickly. The State
Dept could easily create a subgrouping of those residents in Iraq to
allow other countries to take them in.
The
refusal to do so means the Barack Obama administration will likely have
blood on their hands because one side will likely explode in a very
short time. This has been going on too long and neither Nouri nor the
residents are seeing any progress. If the US government can not
seriously assist the Camp Ashraf residents by creating a
subgrouping/classification for them and violence takes place, those
deaths -- Iraqis or Ashraf residents -- will be the responsibility of
the US White House.
There was a lot mentioned
in the report. A lot overlooked as well. As he winds down, Kobler
makes the decision that UNAMI itself -- and its budget -- is more
important than any Iraqi topic that he could include in the final
moments.
Special Envoy
Martin Kolber: Mr. President, in my introduction, I posed the question
of whether the people of Iraq still need UNAMI? I am convinced that
UNAMI is needed more than ever to help Iraq complete its transition to a
stable and prosperous democracy. UNAMI has the legitimacy and the
standing to represent the international community in Iraq. Iraqis from
all communities look to UNAMI to protect their aspirations and to ensure
their needs are met. With Security Council support, UNAMI will
continue its efforts to address the many outstanding issues crucial to
securing Iraq's future. The substantial cut of 20% of UNAMI's budget in
2013 requires that we do more with less. In this context, the mission
may need to reconsider some areas of operation. Mr. President, I
should like to sincerely thank the members of the council for their
continued support, the government of Iraq and the wider membership of
the United Nations as well as the staff of UNAMI for their unrelenting
commitment and dedication to implement our mandate. Thank you very
much.
And that was
it. Last April, in his presentation to the UN Security-Council, he
refused to note the targeting of Iraq's LGBT community. In the written
report (written in March), there was a passing reference ("perception of
their sexual orientation") with the promise that the UN was in the
process of corroborating the reported deaths and would address it when
they had. It's months later, presumably the UN has been able to
corroborate those reports in some fashion by now. So why can't Martin
Kobler talk about it? It's not even in the written report (which was
published July 11th). There is no mention made of it. If Martin Kobler
wishes to represent Iraqis, he needs to represent all Iraqis. He needs
to find it in his comfort zone to use the terms "gay" and "lesbian."
If that's too much work for him, if it's too much of a stretch, he needs
to find a new position. The United Nations was silent as young
Iraqis were targeted -- males and females -- because they were believed
to be gay or to be Emo or both. Rolling Stone and NME covered it. But
the United Nations stayed silent. The US State Dept covered it in their
own human rights report. But the United Nations stayed silent. That's
unacceptable.
