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August 12, 2019

In UN OCHA Ghelani Favorites Work From Upstate and Telecommute in Geneva Inner City Press Is Told

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive CJR PFT

UNITED NATIONS GATE, August 8 – The UN Secretariat is rotting not only in its political function through which Secretary General Antonio Guterres sided for example with Cameroon dictator Paul Biya while Biya's Ambasssador was chair of the UN Budget Committee, but also in its "humanitarian" arm, OCHA. Today Inner City Press has this story, on this the 401st day it has been banned without any due process from entering the UN by Guterres whose Cameroon (and China) connections it dared asked about and continues to report on:

"Hello. I am a former OCHA employee. I am writing under an anonymous email due to my fear of repercussions. Someone needs to investigate the Director of Operations for UNOCHA, Reena Ghelani.   She has long played "favorites," treating her inner circle well, and treating her underlings abusively, but everyone is scared to speak out, because she is protected by senior OCHA leadership.  However, it has now gotten to the point where it cannot be ignored any longer. Since being promoted to head of the Operations Division one year ago, she has begun rewarding her favorites with ridiculous perks while making the working lives of ordinary staff terrible. Certain staff members are away for several weeks or months at a time on annual leave and sick leave, without any explanation, and yet if she likes them, no questions are asked and there are no consequences, they continue to receive their paycheck, although everyone else has to cover their work.

One such staff member has just been given a "telecommuting" job in Geneva, even though this person has no real post (and is barely ever in the office, arriving at 11am and leaving at 3pm when they are there); meanwhile, Mrs. Ghelani has told regular staff that they should not think of taking advantage of flexible working arrangements.

Another of the inner circle works constantly from their home "upstate," with no oversight and no accountability.  Senior OCHA leadership was aware of all the problems with her management style before she was promoted, and was told not to select her, but they made special arrangements to ensure she got the position. Morale in the organization is at an all time low because staff feel they have no outlet to feedback, as Mrs. Ghelani has warned many of them that their posts won't be renewed in December." Since Guterres has had Inner City Press roughed up and banned and the vast majority of its written questions are not even acknowledged much less answered, the above is run as such. Inner City Press will add some of the above to the written questions it submits to Guterres and his spokesman Stephane Dujarric - and now his Global Communicator Melissa Fleming - and will report any response, as well as the changes that must come.

August 5, 2019

On Cameroon and Yemen UK FCO Refuses Again To Provide Any Documents Censorship Like UK Smale

By Matthew Russell Lee, Video, 7/20, CJR, ICO ruling

UNITED NATIONS GATE, August 1 – As the abuses by Cameroon's security forces have been ignored by the UN, whose Secretary General Antonio Guterres has UN Budget Committee deals with Paul Biya and a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman who is bombing Yemen, the UK Mission to the UN and its parent the FCO withheld information on both countries from Inner City Press.

  Even after being belatedly admonished by the UK Information Commissioner's Office, now in May and June 2019 the UK Mission and FCO are doing the same and worse, outright refusing to proceeding Inner City Press' request about Cameroon and Yemen after the UK Mission refused to answer basic written questions.

  After the UK Mission's refusal, under Ambassador's Karen Pierce and Jonathan Allen, to answer Inner City Press submitted a FOIA request to FCO: "This is request under the UK Freedom of Information act for the following records as that term is defined in FOI, including but not limited to all electronic records, emails, text/SMS message and communications in any form, involving the UK Mission to the UN in New York since July 3, 2018 regarding Cameroon or Yemen (on which the UK holds the pen in the UN Security Council), and regarding any UK national UN Under Secretaries General including but not limited to Alison Smale and any opportunity given by the UN Secretariat to the UK to replace her or gain a different USG position as she leaves at the end of this summer. This request specifically includes all records related to briefings given by the UK Mission to the UN to members of the major international media (and any mentions of that term), as that information cannot legitimately by made public to some but not to the public"

 While last time, for which it was ultimately admonished, the FCO slowed began assembling documents, this time they flatly refuse: "I can confirm that the FCO does hold information relevant to your request.... to refine your request to narrow its scope [suggesting dropping Cameroon, Yemen, and pretending no way to search for documents about Smale or getting UN USG  positions from Guterres] .. You can apply directly to the Information Commissioner. However, the Information Commissioner will not normally make a decision unless you have first exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the FCO."

  On July 4, Inner City Press has written both to the FCO and the ICO. The ICO said it would wait until FCO ruled, which it has today August 1, in continued corruption. To the FCO, cc-ing two at the UK Mission including Stephen Hickey: "July 4, 2019  Via email to foi-dpa.pmcs@fco.gov.uk    To whom it may concern at foi-dpa.pmcs@fco.gov.uk:  This is a formal request for review of, and complaint about, FCO's June 15 denial in full of Inner City Press' and my May 11 request under FOIA for documents concerning the UK Mission to the UN, Yemen and Cameroon.      Amazingly, despite the UK ICO's 26 February 2019 ruling on the FCO's improper delay and withholding of records on an nearly identical request by Inner City Press (FS50771047, incorporated herein by reference), and with the UK Mission to the UN now refusing to answer or even acknowlege Inner City Press' written questions about Cameroon and Yemen, the FCO denied this reques in full.    It did not provide a single documents, even amid the controversy about the UK's sale of weapons for use in Yemen, and increasing visibility of the slaugher of Anglophones in Cameroon, with whose Paul Biya Liam Fox bragged about UK-based New Age's hydro-carbon deal. Additionally, UK Under Sec-Gen Alison Smale is set to leave in August, making the censorship portion of the request all the more timely.     Hence this request for review - and for action for accountability for those who are improperly withholding information about the UK government, censorship and the killing of civilians in Cameroon and Yemen.    The requested records should be provided immediately."

  Four weeks later, this: "INTERNAL REVIEW: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) REQUEST REF 0459-19 Thank you for your email of 4 July requesting an internal review (IR) of our response to the above request. I note that your original request covered a time period of approximately 10 months and was widely framed in terms of the type of information you were seeking. I also note that we suggested you might wish to refine your request before we accepted it, and that you declined the opportunity to do so. I am satisfied that an appropriate sampling exercise was carried out to ascertain how much information we might hold in scope of your request. The results of that initial search indicated that there were several thousand documents which might potentially contain relevant information. I am therefore satisfied that it would have taken us considerably longer than three and a half working days to comply with your request, and that the decision to refuse it under s12 of the FOIA was correct. In your IR request you refer to a request you made for similar information in 2017 (FCO ref 0783-17) and the subsequent ICO Decision Notice on that case. I note, however, that your 2017 request had been refined to cover a much shorter time frame and we were thus able to respond substantively to it within the specified cost limit. For your information, I have attached below some links to published material relating to your request that may be of interest to you. Yemen:  https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and- communications?keywords=yemen&world_locations%5B%5D=uk-mission-to-the-united- nations-new-york&order=relevance  Cameroon: Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Conflict Prevention and Mediation: ‘The role of mediation in  conflict prevention’, published 12 June 2019 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-role- of-mediation-in-conflict-prevention  Central FOI Unit Foreign and Commonwealth Office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Website: https://www.gov.uk  Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on the UN Regional Office on Central Africa: ‘Inclusive political dialogue in Central Africa’, published 4 June 2019 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/inclusive-political-dialogue-in-central-africa Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council Briefing on the UN Regional Office on Central Africa: ‘Preventing further conflict in Cameroon and the Lake Chad Basin’, published 13 December 2018  https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/preventing-further-conflict-in-cameroon-and-the-lake- chad-basin  If you are not content with the outcome of this Internal Review you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner’s Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire, SK9 5AF Yours sincerely,  Joint Head Central FOI Unit."

  We will be appealing. Because this is pure corruption - first colluding with Antonio Guterres to have the Press which asks about Cameroon and Yemen roughed up and banned, then refusing its questions, then trying to strong arm it into dropping whole parts of its FOI request. Disgusting. Watch this site.

July 29, 2019

UN Child Rape In DRC By Morocco Peacekeeper Resulted in Pregnancy Covered Up By Guterres 3 Days

By Matthew Russell Lee, Video here, Vine here

UNITED NATIONS GATE, July 26 -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says he has a "zero tolerance" policy for sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment, and for retaliation. But on March 15 he took his administration's "press briefing" about UN sexual abuse off the record, in a room he has banned Inner City Press which most asks about it from for 388 days.

 At 11 am on the morning of July 23 the UN data dumped a serious new charge, of child rape by a Moroccan UN Peacekeeper in the DR Congo. This comes a week after this pick up in TRT and elsewhere of Inner City Press' scoop on Guterres poised to reward Colin Stewart with re-appointment atop MINURSO despite sexual harassment charges UN staff complain to Inner City Press about. To Guterres, his deputy Amina J. Mohammed and two spokesmen, Inner City Press immediately in writing asked: "This is a Press request that you immediately provide all if-asked and additional information about the new allegation of SEA by a Moroccan UN Peacekeeper - apparently, rape of a child - in the DRC, uploaded after 11 am on July 23, including what if being done for the child victim and any steps taken to avoid this constant repetition of abuse despite the SG's ostensible commitments. Inner City Press is asking in writing because banned from briefing and any follow up questions, now for [more than] a year."

 For three whole days Guterres' UN did not answer or even acknowledge the question. Inner City Press wrote about it each day, and its readers - even those following for coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein case in the SDNY - marveled at Guterres' cover up of child rapes. That may continue, but on July 26 from acting Spokesman Farhan Haq, which we immediately publish:

"In response to your question[s] -- The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has received an allegation of sexual abuse involving a Moroccan military contingent member formerly deployed to the Mission.  The allegation refers to the rape of a minor that allegedly took place from January to March 2019 and resulted in pregnancy. The UN has informed the Member State of the allegation and a National Investigation Officer has been appointed within the timeframe requested. The investigation will be conducted jointly by the Member State and OIOS.  The mission has offered appropriate assistance to the victim in line with the UN’s victim assistance protocols."

July 22, 2019

UN Welcomed Jeffrey Epstein Associate Ghislaine Maxwell For TerraMar Abruptly Disappeared

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon, thread

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 20 – With Jeffrey Epstein remanded on child sex trafficking charges to the Metropolitan Correctional Center, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell has closed down her TerraMar Project which had been welcomed in the United Nations in the Secretary General's press briefing room, before UNSG Antonio Guterres had Inner City Press thrown out.

  On 25 June 2013 Ghislaine Maxwell appeared in the UN briefing room pitching TerraMar. Inner City Press asked questions, for example on this video from 7:12. Then this:

From: G Max <ghislaine@theterramarproject.org>
Date: Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 9:38 AM
Subject: The TerraMar Project To: matthew.lee [at] innercitypress.com
Dear Matthew, It was a pleasure to meet you. As promised, here is some information on the TerraMar Project – you can see all the latest press if you go to http://theterramarproject.org/thedailycatch/category/press/ - the UN talk, Bloomberg and CNN being the latest. Don’t forget to apply for your passport at theterramarproject.org – your citizenship is pre-approved! Best, Ghislaine 

Inner City Press has been on Terramar's mailing list since. As recently as July 11, 2019 TerraMar sent out an email about clownfish. But now its website says "The TerraMar Project is sad to announce that it will cease all operations. The web site will be closed."

  As so often at the UN under Guterres, corruption once exposed just tries to slink away. Guterres is financially linked to CEFC China Energy. When CEFC's Patrick Ho was indicted and convicted for UN bribery, Guterres never started any audit but instead has Inner City Press which asked roughed up and and thrown out, 382 days now. But the net is tightening. And there are others connected; more on Patreon here. Watch that and this site.

Epstein had his bail application denied on July 18 and will remain in the Metropolitan Correctional Center. His next court appearance is July 31. Judge Richard M. Berman of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York gave a summary of his forthcoming written order, saying that Epstein is a danger to the community and citing the July 15 testimony of victims Annie Farmer and Courtney Wild. He called the proposed bail package woefully inadequate and added his view that no package would have outweighed the danger to the community. The public's interest in a speedy trial was outweighed by the need to prevent any miscarriage of justice.

 Meanwhile the SDNY prosecutors more quietly cut a cooperation agreement with another child sex trafficking Anthony Darby.

   Inner City Press had gone to the SDNY courtroom of Judge Paul Engelmayer to cover another matter. But inside the courtroom a shackled man was pleading guilty. The courtroom deputy came over to say this was not the case Inner City Press had come to cover. But Inner City Press stayed to cover it. Soon Assistant US Attorney Wolf requested a sidebar with Judge Engelmayer.

  The reason quickly became clear. Darby was pleading guilty to 14 counts, sex trafficking of minor and conspiracy, in exchange for cooperation he would get a 5K1.1 letter - in April 2020. Judge Engelmayer to his credit, unlike at least two other SDNY Judges, did not lawlessly order the Press to leave. And for that reason for now Inner City Press is reporting only these bare bones facts: that amid criticism of the Jeffrey Epstein non prosecution agreement, this Darby deal is taking place in the SDNY. Is it a good deal? We'll have more on this.

  That Jeffrey Epstein, now in the Metropolitan Correctional Center by Foley Square, would be denied bail on July 18 at 11:30 am was widely predicted. On July 17, after Judge Berman moved the time for his decision from 9:30 to 11:30 am the next day, Assistant US Attorney Alison Moe wrote to him: "The Government respectfully submits this letter to briefly respond to one aspect of the defendant’s July 16, 2019 letter (ECF No. 24), and to provide the Court with additional information regarding the defendant’s foreign passport. The defendant’s July 16, 2019 letter asserts: “[A]s for the Austrian passport the government trumpets, it expired 32 years ago. And the government offers nothing to suggest—and certainly no evidence—that Epstein ever used it.” (ECF No. 24 at 7). In fact, the passport contains numerous ingress and egress stamps, including stamps that reflect use of the passport to enter France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia in the 1980s. The Government further notes that the defendant’s submission does not address how the defendant obtained the foreign passport and, more concerning, the defendant has still not disclosed to the Court whether he is a citizen or legal permanent resident of a country other than the United States." Watch this site.

July 15, 2019

UN Briber Patrick Ho In Appeal Reveals More Lobbying In UN For China Met Croatia President No Audit

By Matthew Russell Lee, Video, Scope Audio

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 13 – Patrick Ho was sentenced to 36 months in jail on March 25 for UN bribery and having "sold weapons enthusiastically," along with a $400,000 fine imposed by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Loretta Preska.

During his trial, covered every day by Inner City Press which was and is banned from entering the UN amid its reporting linking current UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the scandal through the Gulbenkian Foundation from his he received payments undisclosed on his public financial form covering 2016, an audio clip was played for the jury, see below.

  Now in mid July Ho has filed his appeal in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. While Inner City Press is still pouring over the hundreds of pages in the Appendices, including many exhibits which the U.S. Attorney's Office never despite requests made available, even the first day of review finds that Patrick Ho met through the UN, among others, Croatia's President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović (to go along with CEFC's purchase of the Czech Republic as then chair of UN ECOSOC) and the foreign minister of Turkey. We'll have more on this - note that the Guterres-supporting UN Correspondents Association had a First Vice President then as now promoting the Turkish government.

 There is also this line from Ho's report to Ye on his UN lobbying at the highest levels: We, China Energy Fund Committee, are willing to provide support and assistance in the selection of programs and topics by the United Nations. In return, hopes that they would give more consideration to the China factor and more voices to China when formulating programs.” 

 So how is is possible that Antonio Guterres has refused to even begin a UN Office of Internal Oversight Services of CEFC China Energy's lobbying and bribery in the UN? When CEFC sought to pay Gulbenkian Foundation which made undisclosed payments to Guterres? Inner City Press, now banned by Guterres from entering the UN for 375 days and counting, will have more, much more, on this.

  Inner City Press has also reported on CEFC's Ye giving an expensive diamond to Hunter Biden who was with UN World Food Program USA, here. We'll have more on this, too.


Nigeria UN Mission Ran Over NY Paralegal And Now Cites Preexisting Condition In SDNY

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 10 – A few blocks from the United Nations on 49th Street and Second Avenue on 6 April 2018 Jennifer A. Edward was heading to her work as a lawfirm paralegal when a Nigerian Mission to the UN vehicle struck her, causing serious injury.    The vehicle's registration and insurance were both expired, in violation of the U.S. Diplomatic Relations Act.

The driver who was working for Nigeria's Mission had previously had accidents. But Nigeria and its mission refused to pay, or even fo months to respond to the lawsuit that was filed, and legally served as far away as Nigeria. Call it impunity, so prevalent in and around the UN.    

On July 10 the case came up before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Paul G. Gardephe. While denying Ms. Edward's motion for default judgment, Judge Gardephe essentially mocked the Nigerian Mission's argument that they needed more time to explore the issue of pre-existing condition.    

Ms. Edward is in her 20s, and has run a New York City marathon. The Nigerian mission in belated filings with Judge Gardephe has tried to blame their failure to response on the recent elections leading to the continuation of rule by President Buhari.    

Inner City Press, having seen Buhari's administration engage in illegal refoulement to Cameroon, unremarked on by the UN's Nigerian Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed, and having seen the UN claim impunity for cholera in Haiti and roughing up and banning the Press in New York, went to cover the July 10 proceeding.   

Afterward it spoke generally with Ms. Edward's lawyer Scott A. Harford. He explained the difficulty of getting the lawsuit served in Nigeria, and the lack of responsiveness by the U.S. Mission to the UN which is supposed to ensure that other countries' Missions to the UN at least maintain car insurance.

The case is moving to Magistrate Judge Debra C. Freeman, more on Patreon here, and Inner City Press will continue to cover and pursue this and other related cases against impunity.
July 8, 2019

After UN Guterres Had Inner City Press Roughed Up De Blasio Office Delays 1 Year on FOIL

By Matthew Russell Lee, CJR PFT CEFC Video

UNITED NATIONS GATE, July 4 – Antonio Guterres is killing the UN, including with his failure in Cameroon and elsewhere and his lawless censorship of Press, now at 365 days, a full year. He's put the UN in the Press Freedom Tracker, here. And so on 3 July 2019, this video.

   Precisely one year before this report, the day after being targeted and roughed up by Guterres' guard Ronald E. Dobbins and another unnamed, Inner City Press went to the NYPD's 17th Precinct with its torn shirt and damaged laptop to file a complaint. At first it was told, flatly, that the UN is entirely immune. Then once they heard the story, the NYPD took down a complaint, here. But the UN including its "investigator" Ben Swanson of OIOS, shown here, have done nothing about it.

  So Inner City Press submitted a New York Freedom of Information Law question to the Office of the Mayor, which works with - and praises - the UN. Now a year later, there is only delay and run around, or cover up: "From: <donotreply [at] records.nyc.gov> Date: Fri, Jun 28, 2019 at 11:57 AM Subject: [OpenRecords] Request FOIL-2018-002-00511 Extended To: <matthew.lee [at] innercitypress.com>  

 The Mayor's Office (OOM) has extended the time to respond to your FOIL request FOIL-2018-002-00511 for the following reasons:  You can expect a response on or about Friday, August 30, 2019.  Additional Information:  Due to the volume of requests that we have received, we now estimate that we will be able to provide you with a response on or before the above date.   Please visit FOIL-2018-002-00511 to view additional information and take any necessary action.  Request Information: Request Title: All records about United Nations "banned" lists, exclusions of people, discipline of UNDSS  Request Description: On behalf of Inner City Press and in my personal capacity this is a request under FOIL for all records in the possession of the NYC Office of the Mayor including the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs (MOIA; collectively OOM) regarding the exclusion of persons in the last three years from premises of the United Nations, in and around First Avenue and 42-48th Streets in Manhattan, including of NYC residents including journalists. This is also a request for all records in the same time period of the review, suspension or revocation of pistol permits for any UN personnel including but not limited to UN Department of Safety and Security personnel and the grounds therefore. To assist you in identifying and producing the responsive records on an expedited basis, I personally was physically ousted from the UN by UN DSS Lieutenant Ronald Dobbins and another unnamed on 3 July 2018 as I staked out and covered, as a journalist, the UN Budget Committee meetings. On 4 July 2018 I filed a report at the NYPD's 17th Precinct, despite being told - erroneously I now believe, including based on how my First Amendment rights have been impacted - that all UN personnel have total immunity. The report number is #2018-017-2848. See also, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/matthew-lee-un-attacks-reporter-journalist-inner-city-press-a8445081.html On 5 July 2018 when I went to the UN to continue my work as a journalist I was told I am “banned.” I have since been told that the UN has a “current and active barred notice” against me, that there is a banned list that includes “demonstrators” and “political activists.” I am still banned today, after 104 days. See also, this. I find this deeply troubling and worth of urgent Press coverage. This request includes but is not limited to all records related to the above, related to any knowledge by OOM including MOIA of any UN “banned” list and how it is compiled, and what due process protections if any are in place, etc. Also any knowledge by OOM including MOIA of any disciplinary measures taken against UN Security officers or other personnel, at least for the past three years. I am also requesting any record in your possession referring to "Inner City Press" for the past ten years, with the past three years to be provided on an expedited basis." A year later, nothing.... and Iowa.

  In Guterres' UN there has been entirely unaddressed bribery, including offers of weapons for oil by UN non governmental organization China Energy Fund Committee of Ye Jianming which Guterres refuses to even audit - while roughing up and banning the Press which asks him about it.

July 1, 2019

On Cameroon UN Guterres Who Sold Out For Budget Favors Now Embraces Swiss Bid Echoing Burundi

By Matthew Russell Lee, CJR PFT NYP

UNITED NATIONS GATE, June 28 –After Paul Biya who has ruled Cameroon for 37 years on January 28 had his opponent Maurice Kamto arrested, Inner City Press again asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and his spokesmen for their comment and action, if any. This came after Guterres had Inner City Press roughed up on 3 July 2018 after it interviewed Biya's Ambassador about the two men's Budget Committee deals and banned from the UN since - Guterres even tried to get Inner City Press banned from the Park East Synagogue, here, which was denied / dodged by his French spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who put up then took down a podcast in which he brags about his "mutually assured destruction" relationship with journalists, here.

  Now on June 28 Guterres had tried to erase his failure and failure of credibility on Cameroon by embracing an attempt by Switzerland to do what Guterres couldn't do - he should be fired - and didn't even try to do, after a golden statue and UN Budget Committee favors by then-chair Cameroon (this is corruption). Guterres' spokesman Dujarric says: "The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement made by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on 27 June on its efforts to facilitate a resolution of the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon through a dialogue process. He expresses the full backing of the United Nations to this endeavour and reaffirms his readiness to support it as necessary. He encourages all parties to participate in this process and commends the Cameroonian authorities and other stakeholders for this positive step.     The Secretary-General reiterates the need for all Cameroonian stakeholders to engage in an inclusive and genuine political dialogue to address the challenges facing the country.     Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General     New York, 28 June 2019." Both have censored the Press for nearly one year.

June 24, 2019

The Onion Mocks UNSG Guterres As Captured By China But Pompous Media Celebrate Him

By Matthew Russell Lee, CJR PFT NYP

UNITED NATIONS GATE, June 20 – Antonio Guterres has turned the UN into a joke, literally. His refusal to even speak much less act on China's mass jailing of a million Uighurs by China on June 20 was mocked in the satiric publication The Onion, here.

  Combined with Guterres' cover up through physical censorship of his financial links with UN briber CEFC China Energy, it adds weight to the demand this week by Rohinga groups that Guterres resign as UN Secretary General. The only ones who seem not to get the joke are those Guterres surrounds himself with: his Deputy Amina J. Mohammed with an equally laughable approach to the environment after backdating thousands of certificates to export endangered rosewood from Nigeria and Cameroon to China, and the largely state media, but also sycophantic Western correspondents, Guterres "raised a glass" with on the night of June 20, after the Onion's publication.

   Mirroring others, Guterres cultivates a fawning media and punishes and bans critical press. A year ago Inner City Press from inside the UN covered his failure to hold a press conference in five months, while he planned to "raise a glass" with correspondents who never criticized him. (In fact, China has a veto on this group's board, here.)

 Soon after, on 22 June 2018, Guterres had his Security led by Lt Ronald E. Dobbins physically push Inner City Press out of the UN, video here, a precursor to worse.

  Here's another joke: on June 20, with Inner City Press banned by Guterres from any entry of the UN for 351 days, the UN Correspondents Association celebrated him in the UN General Assembly lobby, where he bloviated about press freedom while himself censoring.

  This came two days after Uighur groups called Guterres shameful - but UNCA celebrated him.

  This came the same day as Rohingya groups said Guterres should resign for failure and collusion. But UNCA celebrated him.

  In fact, UNCA sells him, raising money off him at Cipriani in a total conflict of interest: the UN Censorship Alliance.

This as Guterres, while covering up his links to UN briber CEFC China Energy, doesn't even live up to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric's statement that there would be a UN statement after Guterres' "counter-terrorism" envoy's bluewashing trip to Xinjiang where China mass jails Uighurs.

With Guterres and his spokesman refusing to answer Press questions, now Inner City Press has in writing asked them to respond to this: "Dolkun Isa, president of theWorld Uyghur Congress, called the Xinjiang visit by Voronkov “an irrevocable mistake on the part of General Secretary Guterres.”  “It is truly shameful for the UN that its Under Secretary for Counterterrorism Vladimir Voronkov visited East Turkestan and China at a time anywhere from one to three million Uyghurs have been locked up in Chinese concentration camps for more than two years,” he told RFA on Monday.  “This official visit, approved by the UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres, allows China to link its crimes against humanity in East Turkestan as a necessary counterterrorism measure."

Those who frolic on the North Lawn with Guterres are complicit.A notice leaked by disgusted but complicity UN correspondents:

"The United Nations Correspondents Association has the pleasure to invite you to the launch of the 2019 UNCA Directory.   We are delighted to announce that the annual reception will once again be held outdoors on the North Lawn facing the East River.  Regional food, wine, cocktails, beer and more will be served!   SAVE THE DATE Wednesday, June 19th 6:00 - 8:30 pm North Lawn, UNHQ   Opening Remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres 6:30 pm   Come and receive your copy of the new UNCA Directory!!   Please RSVP by FRIDAY, June 14th to rsvpuncaevents@gmail.com   The event is open to all UN correspondents *You must hold a valid UN ID to attend the event     See you on the 19th!"

  Cocktails with a genocide apologist in the UN lobby would seem like satire - but it happened.

June 10, 2019

In Cameroon Pro Biya Media Echo UNSG Envoy Fall Praise of Killing Quoting Guterres NGOs Fine With Censorship

By Matthew Russell Lee, CJR PFT NYP

UNITED NATIONS GATE, June 7 –After Paul Biya who has ruled Cameroon for 36 years on January 28 had his opponent Maurice Kamto arrested, Inner City Press again asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and his spokesmen for their comment and action, if any. This came after Guterres had Inner City Press roughed up on 3 July 2018 after it interviewed Biya's Ambassador about the two men's Budget Committee deals and banned from the UN since - Guterres even tried to get Inner City Press banned from the Park East Synagogue, here, which was denied / dodged by his French spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who put up then took down a podcast in which he brags about his "mutually assured destruction" relationship with journalists, here.

 On June 4 Guterres' envoy Francois Fall told the UN Security Council, in French, that Paul Biya's government is providing aid. Tellingly, he quoted Guterres on the territorial integrity of Cameroun. Now pro Biya media there has celebrated Guterres' sell out: "Guinean François Louncény Fall who heads the UN Regional Office for Central Africa hailed the Cameroonian government’s peacekeeping actions towards settling the ongoing Anglophone crisis. This was yesterday June 4 during an office briefing.  He also encouraged authorities to conduct a further inclusive dialog with separatists as to find a lasting solution to the crisis. According to Mr. Fall, this is the best way to preserve the country's stability, which is vital for the sub-region. In that regard, he welcomed the announcement from Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, on 9 May saying President Paul Biya was ready to engage in dialog on all issues, except those related to “separation” and “secession.”  This is a “step in the right direction,” said the UN representative. However, he pointed out, despite these positive achievements, the situation continues to deteriorate with frequent riots between secessionist armed groups and national defense and security forces." Riots?

On June 4 France through deputy Anne Gueguen said much the same; Belgium, as translated, referred to the "management of trans-humans." The UK's deputy Jonathan Allen said the UK shares Guterres' view. Maybe that's why his Mission withheld Cameroon and Yemen documents from Inner City Press, and minister Liam Fox bragged of UK-based New Age Oil's deal with Biya.

Inner City Press live tweeted the shameful UNSC session and uploaded Fall's failing statement here.
June 3, 2019

After Inner City Press Exclusive on Human Trafficking by NY Qatar Royals They Brandish US State Dept For Low Ball Settlement

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive, Patreon

SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 1 – The Qatar ruling family's abuse of employees and laws was exposed in an off the record initial conference at in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on February 14; Inner City Press was the only media present.

Inner City Press wrote an exclusive story that day, February 14, then more in the following few days as more sources contacted us. Now it has learned that the UK's Daily Mail days later on February 21 false claimed an exclusive on the story, here.

Now Inner City Press can report that the Qatari royals' lawyers are on the cusp of succeeding in burying the case in mediation by JAMS. A low-ball settlement - except for attorneys fees -- been been submitted to SDNY Judge J. Paul Oetken on June 1. The total is $150,000, fully half being attorneys' fees; it is signed by the royals without any admission.

Tellingly, the cover letter states that "Defendants – who are members of the royal family of Qatar – noted that if they received certification from the State Department, they would potentially be considered diplomats entitled to full immunity, resulting in immediate dismissal of the litigation for lack of subject matter jurisdiction." So the Qatar royals used the threat of support from the U.S. State Department to cover up human trafficking. We'll have more on this - and there is more on Patreon, here.

May 27, 2019

On Cameroon Biya Rep Praises Sisi in Egypt Who UN Guterres Also Favors for Censorship

By Matthew Russell Lee, Video

UNITED NATIONS GATE, May 22 – After the UN Security Council on May 13 held belated "Arria formula" session about Cameroon, an informal one with no outcome on which even co-sponsors Germany and the UK refused to answer Press questions, hypocrisy and cover up of the UN's failure remain evident. Video by banned Inner City Press here.

  Inner City Press has asked UNSG Antonio Guterres and his spokesman Stephane Dujarric and others, "May 22-5: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment if any and action if any at all on for example that Paul Biya's forces reportedly shot dead 4 month old Martha in Muyuka on 20th May?"

  Now Egypt, whose strongman Sisi pals around with UNSG Guterres who has handed investigative Inner City Press' long time work space in the UN to a Sisi state media Akhbar al Youm whose retired correspondent Saana Youssef has not asked a question in years is lavishing praise for its business with Paul Biya's Cameroun: in Cairo, "Cameroon Ambassador in Cairo Mohamadou Labarang commended the strenuous efforts exerted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to realize development in Africa.   The diplomat made the remarks late Monday during a ceremony held at the embassy on the Cameroon national day.   Labarang lauded the efforts exerted by Egypt under Sisi - the current chair of the African Union - to unite the continent and carry out development projects.   Thanks to Sisi, the African free trade agreement will go into effect by the end of May, he said.   He noted that the Egypt-Cameroon ties are excellent at the political level, voicing hope that the two sides would further cooperation in the economic score in the coming period.   Meanwhile, Egypt's Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs Maher el Adawi underlined the depth of ties between Egypt and African countries.   He noted that Sisi ordered all state bodies to further ties with African countries, referring to Sisi's visits to African states.   He added that Sisi will embark on a tour in eastern and southern African states within the coming few days." The blathering about business with Biya is just blood money. Inside the UN, Guterres' Global Censor Alison Smale, now leaving in August, controls a propaganda channel called UN News and a sycophantic press corpse including Sisi's retiree while mantaining her ghoulish no due process ban on Inner City Press, now in its 325th day. We'll have more on this.

May 20, 2019

On Cameroon After Belated UNSC Arria Ends With No Answers Biya Brags As Greenlight to Genocide

By Matthew Russell Lee, Video

UNITED NATIONS GATE, May 15 – After the UN Security Council held belated "Arria formula" session about Cameroon, an informal one with no outcome on which even co-sponsors Germany and the UK refused to answer Press questions, hypocrisy and cover up of the UN's failure remain evident. Video here.

   Because it was an informal meeting and the proponents would not answer questions and Antonio Guterres' UN has yet to provide requested information to Inner City Press, it has allowed Paul Biya's government to claim, in effect, that no meeting took place: "Some member states of the United Nations Security Council had an informal meeting on Monday to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Anglophone region of Cameroon.  A communiqué issued by the Cameroonian Ministry of External Relations however denied reports of a UN Security Council Meeting on the Anglophone region crisis.  According to the communiqué no such meeting is scheduled.    The communiqué further stated that, this meeting was a ‘’ free consultation entirely outside of the Council on the initiative of certain members who are interested in the humanitarian situation in Cameroon.’‘  It further added that outcomes of this meeting will not be binding on the government since the meeting was informal as specified by Cameroon’s diplomacy."

  Guterres and the member states who support his censorship have their role in this. As with Sri Lanka, it ends up being a greenlight to genocide.

The meeting ended without any outcome, after Paul Biya's longtime Ambassador Tommo Monthe lashed out at social media as UNSG Antonio Guterres does. Monthe told Inner City Press, as it asked about Biya cutting the Internet in the Anglophone zones, that Inner City Press could get thrown out of the UN. And it was, by Guterres, now 313 days and counting.

  In the meeting, China said the Biya can impose law and order - Xinjiang style, some wondered, through Guterres' alliance with China is even larger, including as their CEFC China Energy tried to buy the oil company of Gulbekian Foundation which paid Guterres. France's Francois Delattre said his country will work with Biya.

The EU's João Vale de Almeida, who tweeted a selfie with Monthe before the meeting assuring him the EU would be support, came through. He and the EU Mission have done nothing about Guterres' open censorship. These people are killing the UN.

   Inner City Press, banned from entering the UN for the 313th day in a row, asked UK Deputy Ambassador Jonathan Allen when his country expected to get out of the meeting. He said, "Hello Matthew" but just like his Mission, no substantive answer. Video here.

  Inside the meeting, he expressed surprise that the UK is viewed as pro Paul Biya, ignoring that his minister Liam Fox bragged about UK-based New Age's oil deal with Biya. Germany's speech was even less focused; they have not answered Inner City Press' Cameroon's questions, or done anything about the UN's censorship of the Press.

 (Inner City Press went and began interested at the Ambazonia / Southern Cameroons demonstration in the 47th Street park, in the rain, video here.)

May 13, 2019

On Cameroon Inner City Press Asked UK About May 13 UNSC Arria No Answer So FOI Request

By Matthew Russell Lee, CJR PFT NYP

UNITED NATIONS GATE, May 11 – The UK which bragged about its New Age hydro carbons deal with Paul Biya's Cameroon now has refused to answer basic Press questions about Cameroon, even about a UN Security Council Arria meeting which it is co sponsoring. So Inner City Press has again submitted a Freedom of Information request to the UK FCO, below.

  After Paul Biya who has ruled Cameroon for 36 years on January 28 had his opponent Maurice Kamto arrested, Inner City Press again asked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and his spokesmen for their comment and action, if any. This came after Guterres had Inner City Press roughed up on 3 July 2018 after it interviewed Biya's Ambassador about the two men's Budget Committee deals and banned from the UN since - Guterres even tried to get Inner City Press banned from the Park East Synagogue, here, which was denied / dodged by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who put up then took down a podcast in which he brags about his "mutually assured destruction" relationship with journalists, here. After whispers from the UN Security Council about a belated UNSC meeting on May 13, early on the morning of May 6 Inner City Press submitted written questions, this one to the UK Mission to the UN which previously withheld all Cameroon documents in response to a request under the UK FOIA: "Press Q re Cameroon, any UNSC meeting, UK's Mission's position on that and continued banning of Inner City Press from entering UN - To Stephen Hickey, mission, Jaclyn Licht, Amy Quantrill, others: this is a Press request to the UK Mission as a member of the UN Security Council to be informed this morning of your Mission's knowledge of any upcoming UNSC meeting about Cameroon of any kind, including Any Other Business informal consultations, whether May 13 or any other date. Inner City Press wrote to the UK Mission about this previously, including in August 2018, and pursued its FOIA request to the ICO.     Also, what is the UK's position on the situation there and what will / would it seek to accomplish at any UNSC meeting (and if there is no meeting, why not). Relatedly, please explain how it is legitimate for the UN to bar entry to Inner City Press after ousting it while it covered the 3 July 2018 Fifth (Budget) Committee then chaired by Cameroon, and asked about this situation and other under-performance by the UN. Inner City Press' most recent application for re-accreditation to enter and cover the UNSC stakeout, submitted on 15 April 2019, was denied without explanation on April 17. ("Greetings Matthew LEE from ICP     INNER CITY PRESS,  Your media accreditation request, with reference no: M66561081, has been declined.") What has your Mission does, or what will it do, about this?" Five full days later, including after a UN noon briefing in which the first questioner ask about the UK royal baby, no answer at all.

 So Inner City Press has filed this FOI request: "