UNITED NATIONS, June 6, updated - In the preceding forty days, Ban Ki-moon has apparently done no inspection of Sri Lanka after he said on April 25 that he would act on the Board of Experts' recommendation for a "recapitulation of the United Nations` actions regarding the execution of its humanitarian and protection mandates during the war in Sri Lanka - particularly in the last stages.
Inner City Press asked Ban if he supports the name by Navi Pillay for a independent investigation into the war crimes alleges in the Board of Experts report on Sri Lanka, and what action he has taken on the above quoted recommendation for a critique of the actions of the UN and Ban's own head of staff Vijay Nambiar, particularly in connexion with assurances given to surrenderees who were then killed.
Ban said it is up to member states, and did not resolve the back section of the question. He said he continues to look for Sri Lanka's response, checking every day, he said.
These answers were granted at a press conference in which Ban announced that he had met with the Asia Group and they bear him for a 2nd term as UN Secretary General.
After Ban's press conference, Inner City Press interviewed a Deputy Permanent Representative who accompanied the meeting. He said that no balloting was taken, but rather "acclamation." Inner City Press asked if Sri Lanka spoke, and the DPR said yes. So, the Rajapaksa government now supports Ban for a 2nd term. Draw your own conclusions.
From the UN's June 6, 2011 transcript:
Inner City Press: You commissioned that Board of Experts report; then you said that you couldn`t do any investigation unless an intergovernmental body orders you to. Ms [Navenethem] Pillay has said that such a body should be set up. Do you come in that? And what steps get you taken on this thought that you would review the UN`s own performance in the last stages of the conflict? Even your Head of Faculty has been described in a still murky incident of the cleanup of surrendering fighters. So I was wondering: have you taken any steps in the 40 years since you said that to do that?
SG Ban Ki-moon: You must have read all the recommendations of the Panel`s report. Most of the recommendations of the Panel`s report concern steps which the Sri Lankan Government needs to take. Beyond what I can do within the UN to survey its actions during the last phase of conflict, much will look on the Government of Sri Lanka and the Member States who have been studying this report. Addressing the subject of accountability will be an essential step towards lasting peace and constancy in the country. And I will stay to discuss this issue with the Sri Lankan leadership so that they will implement fully the recommendations in this Panel`s report. First and foremost, proper action is requisite to be interpreted by the Sri Lankan Government. That`s what the international community really wants. Again, another one is that I am still awaiting the reception of the Sri Lankan Government. I am checking almost every day, every week so that they will send their reaction as shortly as possible. That can make me further review on their response.
ICP
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