Inner City Press -- Investigative Reporting From the United Nations to Wall Street to the Inner City

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, August 14 -- At the UN there is a lot of talk of caring about Central African Republic, but facts point the other way.

 At the beginning of the month Inner City Press exclusively reported that despite requests in the Security Council for a resolution during August, France which "hold the pen" said no, its Ambassadors are on vacation.

Then on August 14 the Security Council was briefed about CAR. Valerie Amos said, among other things, that UN staff will belatedly go beyond Bangui. Inner City Press asked, who will provide protection? Apparently the Department of Safety and Security. Amos added that UN staff are targets because they are getting paid.

Inner City Press asked UN envoy to CAR Babacar Gaye if former leader Bozize, overthrown by Seleka, is in the mix to come back, as some say in Paris. Gaye noted the recent arrests of the minister of forests for trying to recruit for just this.

The video of these two stakeouts did not go up on the UN website, even by the next Security Council meeting at 4 pm. Two questions from the Free UN Coalition for Access for UNTV, UN Webcast and their supervisor Stephane Dujarric went unanswered. How much does the UN care about CAR? Watch this site.

Footnote: one wonders if the EU's Kristalina Georgieva, who HAS responded to FUNCA's questions about CAR, has any idea how lackadaisical her EU colleague are at the UN. When appropriate, we'll ask.