On Yemen, GCC Plays Down Dropping of Word “Coup” by UNSC, Inner City Pro Asks of Saleh, Drafts Here

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, February 15 — On a cold Sunday in New York, the UN Security Council scheduled a 5 pm vote on a resolution on Yemen. Diplomats rushed in. The Gulf Cooperation Council had submitted a draft with the word “Houthi coup” in it, but the phrase did not survive.

The GCC had proposed and wanted:

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, 1. Strongly condemns the Houthis coup and unlawful seizure of power, including all use of violence, hostility and takeover of all of Yemen’s Government institutions and State infrastructure.”

But neither the word “coup” nor Chapter VII was included in the resolution passed on February 15.

  After the watered down resolution was adopted 15-0, Inner City Pro asked Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative about the threat of new sanctions, given how little previous sanctions on Ali Saleh and two Houthi leaders accomplished – and, does he think the Houthis are working with Saleh?

  He replied that both are spoilers, they could work together directly or indirectly. The Gulf Cooperation Council will be continuing to push the Security Council, for example on the house arrest of Hadi and others.

  Jordan’s Permanent Representative added that come members did not want the word coup.

 Inner City Press notes that while Hadi consented to US drone strikes, a coup would leave such consent “up in the air.”

 After the diplomats left, two different Arabic language channels described what had occurred in entirely different terms: one as a “strong message,” the other as “weak.”  And so it goes.

  Inner City Pro had asked Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative on his way in what percent of what he’d wanted was in the final resolution. “Eighty percent,” he told Inner City Press.

  Also before the Yemen vote, Malaysia’s Permanent Representative said on the Ukraine draft, he had proposed that downed flight MH17 be included in the resolution and was waiting for a response. Other Ambassadors said they were working hard on it but not agreement had been reached; one said the morning of Monday February 16, a UN holiday was possible.

   While the press doors to the Security Council’s third floor remains locked, from a photo booth Inner City Pro witnessed the 15-0 vote on Yemen. In speeches afterward, Jordan went first, then the UK, US and Russia; then France.

  Back on February 6, after the Houthis essentially took over the presidency of Yemen, the UK put Yemen on the Security Council’s agenda, under Any Other Business, Inner City Press first reported at 3:32 pm.

  At 6 pm, the Security Council’s President for February Liu Jieyi of China emerged and read “Elements to the Press” to the dozen reporters assembled. Because the UN Security Council does not put “Elements to the Press” on its website, here’s what was said, and what Inner City Press asked:

   “The members of the Security Council express grave concern at the announcement by the Houthis to break off talks, to dissolve parliament and to take over all of Yemen’s governance institutions.

  “The members of the Security Council call in the strongest terms for all parties, in particular the Houthis, to abide by the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative, the National Dialogue Conference Outcomes and the Peace and Partnership Agreement, which provide for a Yemeni-led democratic transition.

   “The members of the Security Council declare their readiness to take further steps if UN-led negotiations are not immediately resumed.

   “The members of the Security Council reaffirm their commitment to the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Yemen.

  “The members of the Security Council call for the immediate release of President Hadi, Prime Minister Bahah and members of the Cabinet from house arrest. The members of the Security Council reaffirm their full support for and commitment to the work of the Special Adviser to the Secretary General on Yemen, Jamal Benomar, in support of the Yemeni transition process.”

  Inner City Pro asked Ambassador Liu if this meant the Security Council wants Hadi back as president, a position he resigned. Liu said that the unanimous position of the Council is in the Press Elements.

  Would more sanctions change the Houthis’ mind?

 At the February 6 noon briefing, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that envoy Jamal Benomar had been in Saudi Arabia – where Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is headed – but is now heading back to Yemen. The Houthis are in control, at least in the capital, another UNSC Press Statement notwithstanding.

 Back on January 23 after Yemen’s president and prime minister resigned, the UN put out a summary of what its envoy Jamal Benomar is doing, mentioning talks with each and well as with the Houthis.

  What about Harak or the Southern Movement? We expect to have more on this soon.  InnerCityPro.com

 

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