On W. Sahara, UN Won't Explain Why #Polisario Banned from UNTV While Eroglu On It, Here

On W. Sahara, UN No Comment on Morocco King Visit, Polisario Censored? By Matthew Russell Lee UNITED NATIONS, April 21, more here -- In the untransparent annual UN cat and mouse process around Western Sahara, French Ambassador Gerard Araud has repeatedly been asked by usual-friend Human Rights Watch but continues denying any French role, this year or before, in blocking a human rights monitoring mechanism in the MINURSO mission. At the April 21 UN noon briefing, Inner City Press asked UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric three questions about Western Sahara: any comment on Morocco's King's visit to Dakhla, any confirmation of Polisario's letter of last Tuesday to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about crackdown in El Aaiun, and why Polisario can't, but the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus can, speak on UN Television. On the last Dujarric, who at least until March 10 as in charge of UNTV, said he had no comment. But it was a request for an explanation of a double standard. Likewise, Dujarric said there is no UN comment on the visit to Dakhla of Morocco's King. (The foreign minister of the Alassane Ouattara government of Cote d'Ivoire also visited -- we hope to have more on this.) Finally, even on the letter reported six days ago, about which Inner City Press also asked on April 17, Dujarric had no answer. Strange - or, etrange. Regarding this month's Security Council process, French Ambassador Gerard Araud has tweeted, "I'll wait to see a real proposal before saying what we think of it." But in April 2013 he answered Inner City Press: "how to improve human rights in Western Sahara? We have always said the best way is through bilateral dialogue with Morocco." http://youtu.be/lmg4HVzJSKQ?t=39s Turkish Cypriot Eroglu Meets Ban, Gas Not Discussed, New Downer? By Matthew Russell Lee UNITED NATIONS, April 21 -- After Dervis Eroglu, Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community, met with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Inner City Press asked him if Ban said he intended to replace Alexander Downer, and if natural gas had been discussed. Eroglu replied that natural gas wasn't discussed but that is is important for "both peoples." He did not answer the Downer question. While this UN Television stakeout was helpful, Inner City Press' question at the noon briefing to Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric who oversaw UNTV at least until March 10 remains unanswered. How can Eroglu speak on UNTV, but Western Sahara's Polisario be banned? The Free UN Coalition for Access supports Eroglu's right - but Polisario's, too. What's the difference?