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At UN, Rape Arguments Reconsidered, Human Security Questioned, UEFA Cup Cheered

Byline: Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at the UN: News Analysis

UNITED NATIONS, June 19 -- As the UN Security Council debate on a resolution condemning rape as a tactic of war still had 30 speakers to go, some of the initial opposition to the resolution became more clear. While declining to be identified as questioning such a well-meaning resolution, several sources told Inner City Press that the preparation of yet another UN report, on a topic they called more suited to the General Assembly, was opposed by China, Russia, Vietnam and Indonesia.  The reporting was limited to "situations which are on the agenda of the Council," excluding from coverage victims in areas blocked from Council consideration by any of the veto-wielding Permanent Five members. The term rape as a "tool of war" was switched to "tactic of war" and the reference to international peace and security was made more oblique. It was with this watering down that anti-rape consensus was built.

   Ireland, speaker 35 of 60 took the floor past four p.m. as chair of the Human Security Network. Outside the chamber, an Asian ambassador asked Inner City Press, what does human security mean? Environment? Food prices? How about the U.S. and Guantanamo Bay, or imposition of the death penalty?

Women's group in Bukavu, Security Council arguments not shown

  There is, of course, Myanmar. They're still listed in the 57th slot, which may come up after dark.  Down the hall in the Delegates' Lounge, on two wide screen TVs a crowd watched Germany leading Portugal 3 to 1 in the UEFA Cup. Cheers went up, as talk turned to mutilation. At the stakeout, World Vision was asked if the Zimbabwe meeting had accomplished anything, or had just been talk. Words move the world, was the response. Canada spoke, in both English and French.  

   Talk turned again to eastern Congo, not only the FDLR but also the Congolese army. Even as violence purportedly subsided, rape did not abate. Some say the spirit of war was merely redirected and not stopped. The UN mission MONUC has done little to stem the tide. This should be worked on by Nicky Dahrendorf, MONUC's Director of the Office for Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, or studied by her father, sociologist Ralf Dahrendorf. What is the sociologic connection, between war and sexual violence? Perhaps this new report, to be submitted in one year, will crack the case.

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These reports are usually also available through Google News and on Lexis-Nexis.

Click here for a Reuters AlertNet piece by this correspondent about Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army. Click here for an earlier Reuters AlertNet piece about the Somali National Reconciliation Congress, and the UN's $200,000 contribution from an undefined trust fund.  Video Analysis here

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