The
Stakeout that Wasn't: US
Asked for TV Camera
12 Hours After Flotilla Meeting, Then Decided Nothing to be Said
By
Matthew
Russell Lee
UNITED
NATIONS,
June 1 -- Back at the UN Security Council less than 12 hours
after their 2 a.m.
President Statement on the assault on the flotilla
to Gaza, at 12:30 p.m. a UN Television camera was quietly set up.
Inner City Press was told that the United States requested the camera,
"sometime
between 12 and 3 but leave the lights off at first."
Could it be
for Permanent Representative Susan Rice, who was not present for
Memorial
Day's 13 hour consultation, with her interpretation of the late night
PRST on Gaza? Inner City Press asked a number of Ambassadors, who said
they would look into it.
Inner
City Press
at 2 a.m. had asked outgoing Deputy Permanent Representative Alejandro
Wolff if he agreed with Council President Claude Heller's
interpretation, that Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will be in charge
of investigating the assault on the flotilla. Wolff said, "we
believe the Israelis can do a full investigation." See transcript below.
At
Tuesday's noon
briefing, while declining to answer more than a dozen questions
including four from Inner City Press, Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe
said that Ban is consulting by phone, after due to mechanical failure
he was unable to attend Nicolas Sarkozy France - Africa summit in
Nice. But will he start up the investigation? Perhaps that was
Tuesday's American topic, one of the few who stumbled on the stealth
stakeout speculated.
With
the camera
set up but the lights diplomatically off, various Ambassadors filed
into the Council to meet with Claude Heller about June's program of
work. Inner City Press asked a number of them if they knew about the
American's upcoming stakeout statement. They did not, even among the
P-5. As we said last night, it was P-1 Plus 1, Turkey.
And then at 1
p.m., the UN TV camera was pulled away.
On UN TV, Susan Rice and UN's Ban: re-run, June 1
not shown
One wag
asked, "Cat got your tongue?" Inner City Press inquired, and was told
that "the U.S. changed its mind." Another wag wondered, could Ms.
Okabe's non-answers at the day's noon briefing have obviated any need
for a U.S. statement?
Regarding
the
ships still on the way to Gaza, Inner City Press asked Ms. Okabe if
the UN could confirm that its former official Denis Halliday is on
the ship Rachel Corrie (along
with Nobel laureate
Maireád
Corrigan-Maguire). Ms. Okabe said the
UN could not confirm. What can
the UN do? Watch this site.
From the US Mission
transcript:
Remarks
by
Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, Deputy Permanent Representative to the
United Nations, at a Security Council Stakeout, June 1, 2010
Amb.
Wolff:
Good morning thanks for staying as long, a good 13 hours,
happy June. <inaudible> ...we adopted a presidential statement
today on the incident that took place on the Eastern Mediterranean
yesterday. The negotiations over that took place after the meeting
that the Council had where most of the members spoke. We've had a
long drawn out discussion and the fruits of our labors are before
you. So I'm happy to take any questions.
Inner
City
Press: You just heard what the President of the Council said, he
said a number of things. He said that the investig-he believes that
the word impartial means independent, ie, not by Israel in terms of
the investigation. And he believes that condemning the acts that
resulted in deaths is a condemnation of the Israeli military force
primarily. Is that your understanding of the text that was adopted?
Amb.
Wolff:
No that's not our understanding. If you read the text
carefully, it makes clear what it means and what it doesn't mean. We
are convinced and support an Israeli investigation as I called for in
my statement earlier and have every confidence that Israel can
conduct a credible and impartial, transparent, prompt investigation
internally.
Inner
City
Press: He [Heller] just said because the text refers to the
Secretary-General's comments, that this means the Secretary-General
will be appointing the investigators.
Amb.
Wolff:
Again I think there's no reason to conclude that. The
Secretary-General called for a full investigation. And we think the
Israelis are capable of doing a full investigation...
Inner
City
Press: Would it be fair to say, some would say that this has
been drafted in sort of a vague way so that each side can read it
however they want. The President of the Security Council has just
given a reading that is quite different than yours. Was that, is this
the only way that we can reach compromises to have it so that each
side can see it as it wants it? If the Secretary-General is to
name-names investigators will the U.S. oppose it? I mean, he seems to
expect that that will happen.
Amb.
Wolff:
The text reads pretty clearly to me. And the Secretary-General
calls for a full investigation, and we believe the Israelis can do a
full investigation. Thanks very much.
* * *
On
Gaza
Flotilla
Assault, UNSC Statement Leaves Vague Who Will
Investigate
By
Matthew
Russell
Lee
UNITED
NATIONS,
June
1 -- The UN Security Council adopted a vague
Presidential Statement at 2 am on Tuesday, in the wake of Monday's
assault by the Israeli Defense Forces on the flotilla to Gaza.
Afterward, Inner City Press asked first the new President of the
Council, Mexico's Claude Heller, then US Ambassador Alejandro Wolff,
what the provisions means. Their interpretations were entirely
different.
The
Presidential
Statement calls for an investigation which is "prompt,
impartial, credible and transparent." US Deputy Permanent
Representative Wolff told Inner City Press this means that Israel can
do it.
Claude
Heller,
on
the other hand, only Council President for less than three hours,
said that it should be an independent investigation panel, named by
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Heller also told Inner City Press that
the PRST's reference to "the use of force" and "those
acts" were both directed at the Israeli military. But the US and
Israel, apparently, have another reading.
Inner
City
Press
live-blogged the twists and turns of the day's Council action from
just outside it, here.
US' Alex Wolff, investigations by Ban Ki-moon not shown
Palestine's
Permanent
Observer
Riyad Mansour ended by saying the Arab Group
and the Non Aligned Movement will be lobbying S-G Ban Ki-moon.
Presumably the US will be lobbying the other way...
Footnote:
Ironically,
the Non
Aligned Movement earlier this year lobbied Ban to say that he had no
authority to name a panel, even to advise himself, about
accountability for 30,000 estimated civilian deaths in Sri Lanka. Ban
has vowed that he will never the less name that panel, which he
announced on March 5. We'll see.
Here
is
the
PRST
SECURITY
COUNCIL
PRESIDENTIAL
STATEMENT ON THE RECENT INCIDENT IN THE EASTERN
MEDITERRANEAN
The
Security
Council
deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries
resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation
in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza. The
Council, in this context, condemns those acts which resulted in the
loss of at least ten civilians and many wounded, and expresses its
condolences to their families.
The
Security
Council
requests the immediate release of the ships as well
as the civilians held by Israel. The Council urges Israel to permit
full consular access, to allow the countries concerned to retrieve
their deceased and wounded immediately, and to ensure the delivery
of humanitarian assistance from the convoy to its destination.
The
Security
Council
takes note of the statement of the UN
Secretary?General on the need to have a full investigation into the
matter and it calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent
investigation conforming to international standards.
The
Security
Council
stresses that the situation in Gaza is not
sustainable. The Council re-emphasizes the importance of the full
implementation of Resolutions 1850 and 1860. In that context, it
reiterates its grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza
and stresses the need for sustained and regular flow of goods and
people to Gaza as well as unimpeded provision and distribution of
humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.
The
Security
Council
underscores that the only viable solution to
Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement negotiated between the
parties and re-emphasizes that only a two-State solution, with an
independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace
and security with Israel and its other neighbours, could bring peace
to the region.
The
Security
Council
expresses support for the proximity talks and voices
concern that this incident took place while the proximity talks are
underway and urges the parties to act with restraint, avoiding any
unilateral and provocative actions, and all international partners to
promote an atmosphere of cooperation between the parties and
throughout the region.
* * *
As
UN
Council
Meets on Gaza Ship Raid, Obama, Ban and Justice Put in
Question
By
Matthew
Russell
Lee
UNITED
NATIONS,
May
31-June 1, updated -- In the wake of Israel's commando raid on the
flotilla bound for Gaza,
the UN Security Council in New York went
into emergency session early Monday afternoon. Palestine's Permanent
Observer Riyad Mansour called it a massacre. Inner City Press asked
him what the Palestinian Authority expects from the Obama
administration, in light of their read out from Barack Obama's call
to Benyamin Netanyahu.
"It
was a
cautious statement," Mansour responded. Noting that Netanyahu
has canceled his trip to Washington, Mansour said this was out of
shame.
Non
Council
members also showed up. Sudan's Permanent Representative called Inner
City Press to the side. I have something to say, he insisted. "Israel
has written the communique of the International Criminal Court
meeting in Kampala," he said. Inner City Press pointed out that
Israel is not an ICC state party.
Spain's
Ambassador
went
into the Council without speaking, as did U.S. Deputy Permanent
Representative Alejandro Wolff. A reporter shouted out, "will
you support a PRST?"
The
spokesperson
for a Permanent Five member of the Council predicted a Presidential
Statement by the Council, later on Sunday. One can imagine the
language being negotiated back and forth.
Ship, with Turkish flag, UNSC outcome not yet shown
It was said that the UN's
Department of Political Affairs might given a briefing. Based on
what? UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is in Kampala, after having
sent his two most senior envoys to Sudan to the inauguration of Omar
al Bashier, indicted by the ICC. Watch this space -- we will live
blog from the Council stakeout.
Update
of
1:41
p.m. -- a P-5 spokesperson emerges from the Council and says
the format has been decided on, 15 plus two, Israel and Palestine.
Update
of
1:44
p.m. -- Turkey's Ambassador emerges. On way on stairs he's
asked, is there a Turkish draft PRST? "The Minister should
speak first," he said, "in half an hour's time." A P-5
spokesperson says the text has been "seen."
Update
of
1:50
p.m. -- Turkey's Ahmet Davutoglu arrives with entourage. He
will do a stakeout for the Press after he speaks to the Council, a
staffer says.
Update
of
1:57
p.m. -- the UNSC meeting on Gaza is beginning, chaired by
Lebanon on the last day of its Presidency. Israel and Palestine are
seated, DSG Migiro is on the house. UN DPA's Taranco begins briefing.
Update
of
2:37
p.m. - as Davutoglu, UK & others speechify, search is on
for the PRST drafted this morning at the Egyptian mission, outside of
which the Ambassadors of Lebanon and Palestine emerged 1/2 hour
before the UNSC meeting.
Update
of
2:47
pm -- France's Araud calls for investigation, and access
"under the Vienna convention" to those from the flotilla
imprisoned now in Israel. Also calls for meeting of the Quartet, to
lift the blockade of Gaza. UN part time envoy Tony Blair, where are you?
Update
of
2:55
p.m. -- it has been noticed, by other journalists, that while
the UK and France are represented by their #1 Perm Reps, the U.S. #1
Susan Rice is not here. In DC, one reporter guesses, also noting her
May 27 speech at "Fleet Week" -- how about Flotilla Week?
Update
of 3:21 p.m. -- Turkey FM Ahmet Davutoglu
describes PRST. Inner City Press asks if US on board, any interplay
with Iran sanctions? "2 separate cases," FM Davutoglu says. We'll see.
Update
of
3:42
p.m.- Egypt's Ambassador calls for investigation, and action
"unlike on Goldstone report." But when asked about Egypt's
own blockage of Gaza, he says the Rafa crossing is not for
humanitarian aid, that is only up to Israel. Hmm...
Update
of
4:05
p.m. - Council breaking until 4:30. Inner City Press asked
Syria Amb if any link to Iran sanctions. He says, Israel wants to
divert from the NPT...
Update
of
4:30
p.m. -- beyond disputes about compensation, while the Turkish
draft, OIC and NAM call for international investigation, the US has
called for Israel to do the investigating -- not unlike
Ambassador Susan Rice and Hillar Clinton on Sri Lanka's self
investigation...
Then again, the NAM opposed any UN panel on Sri Lanka. Double
standards everywhere.
Update
of
4:38
p.m.-- in the consultations, it was said that a PRST would be
good, but that the way to proceed was "informal informals"-
that is, not even in the consultations room. So here we wait.
Update
of
5:17
p.m. -- As Turkey and the United States negotiate a UN
Security Council Presidential Statement about the Israeli assault on
the Gaza-bound flotilla, the language is getting watered down. From
the "strongly condemn" proposed by the Turks, the First
Revised draft now speaks of "deeply regret." And it is the
"use of force" that is regretted -- which can be read as,
both sides' use of force...
Update
of
5:36
p.m. - Also in US Rev 1 flotilla PRST, while investigation's
to be done in 30 days, it doesn't say #UN or non-Israeli
investigation. Can Turkey live with this?
Update
of
5:54
p.m. - here as a public service, h/t LouCharb, is a photo of
Rev 1 of the flotilla PRST - www.innercitypress.com/gazarev1.jpg
Update
of
6:46
p.m. -- inside the Council consultations, comparison is made
to last Western Sahara negotiations, which took 8 hours. This could
top it. Diplomats head out for food, reporters subsist on potato
chips from nearly empty vending machine.
Update
of
7:53
p.m. -- Now French Ambassador Araud announces, a break until
9:15! A break from the break... Palestine's Riyad Mansour speaks of
something "between Rev 2 and Rev 3." Separate Sudan story to follow.
Now here.
Update
of
9:15
p.m. -- this is the time that they said. So far, Perm Reps of
Mexico and Brazil have walked by and in, and Israel's Danny Carmone
has walked out. Inner City Press asks a well placed Council member
spokesman, "So it's Wolff and the Turks?" He nods. An
outgoing Chinese diplomat tells Inner City Press, "Strange, the
whole world is outraged, but one country isn't. Watch that country in
the next few days."
Update
of
9:45
p.m. -- Chinese dip to Inner City Press on #flotilla: "whole
world outraged, but one country isn't. Watch that country in next
days." And, they're waiting for call from DC, which is waiting
on another capital. Tel Aviv? He nods.
Update
of
9:58
p.m. - not looking good. Rev 2, on which there was
preliminary agreement is no longer the basis for discussions. Int'l
inquiry? Mexican midnight?
Update
of
10:35
p.m. -- Big lull on #flotilla PRST, & some dissing.
Visible in consultations room, UK Lyall Grant walking around like a
non-P5.
Update
of
11:17
a.m. -- Palestine's Mansour says, down to a few words, US on
phone to DC, maybe by midnight, maybe after w/ Mexicans. Maybe,
maybe. It's what passes for news at this point.
Update
of
11:21
-- a lot of interest in the effect of midnight on the UN.
They can "stop the clock" at 11:59, and just pretend that
it remains May. But that is unlikely, no reason to play with them
when a PRST is from the Council as a whole. Some UN TV staffers
reminisce that Perez de Cuellar was allowed to stay on some extra
hours to conduct a peace deal while Dick Clark was in Times Square.
There there's no news, there... history.
Update
of
11:31
-- UK Lyall Grant leaves. "It doesn't seem to be very
close yet," he says. Going to bed? "I'll be back if
something happens." Put a fork in it?
Update
of
11:56
p.m. -- Mexico UNSC Presidency minus four minutes and
counting. Will the ball or #flotilla PRST drop? Where is Dick Clark?
Update
of
11:59
p.m. -- Palestine Mansour says we might see white smoke on
#flotilla PRST. 2 dips go for cigarettes. Lost in translation?
Update
of
12:05
a.m. -- No action on #flotilla PRST, but Mexico's nameplate
and flag has been moved into position. UN efficiency.
Update
of
12:30
a.m. -- Bosnia's Ambassador stares into space as if in an
airport, waiting for a flight delayed by an Icelandic volcano. The
political coordinator of another P-5 country has left for the night.
It's down to the P-1 Plus 1. 30 minutes into the Mexican president
and still no solution.
Update
of
1:19
a.m. -- A Turkish journalist gets a text message from the
Mission inside: "there is still some hope." An American
indicates the same. Could it be?
Update
of
1:23
a.m. - News flash (!) the doors to Council are closed. "They
are going into formal consultations and then they will come out."
Condemning or regreting? Israeli investigation? Watch this space.
Update
of
1:28
a.m. -- UN DPI staff go in, who transcribe formal meetings.
Looks like the deal is done. But what is it? Watch this space.
Update
of
1:35
p.m. -- a Lebanese journalist rushes out with the text,
shares only with Al Jazeera. "Condemns," he tells Press.
"Those acts." We'll see.
Update
of
1:40
a.m. -- They are setting up in the Chamber, Amb Heller is
ready, bleary eyed journalists ready for questions after PRST is read
out, we'll see.
Update
of
1:44 onward -- things moving too fast for blogging (!) turn to http://twitter.com/innercitypress
- for text and Q&A, 10-4
Update
of
2:38 a.m. -- final PRST and analysis above
, 
