By Matthew Russell Lee for InnerCityPro.com
UNITED NATIONS, September 19 -- The UN Secretariat's bungling of Yemen mediation has become ever more clear, according to multiple sources and documents exclusively seen by Inner City Press, see below.
After the UN Security Council's praise of talks ostensibly committed to UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed was not updated after Hadi canceled participation in the talks, then the Saudi led coalition bombed Oman's Ambassador's house in Sana'a.
On September 29, Hadi read a long speech to the General Assembly - but the UN, unlike nearly all of other speakers, did not send it out. So here as a public service is InnerCityPro's fast transcription:
“I’ve come today from the city of Aden, a glorious one, which experiences great joy as it has been liberated from the Houthi militia. Yet I am troubled to see the degree of destruction left in the wake of this criminal militia. The number of victims just in Aden has hit 1,003 individuals. There are above 11,00 wounded, and you can imagine the figures in other cities.
“Three years ago at this very podium I spoke of the stages or measures we had undertaken for a successful transition, in a spirit of peace, in line with the GCC and UN resolutions. I told you that Iran was hindering the pursuance of that process, and that that country was training Houthi militias and providing them with weapons, this through boats or vessels, so as to impose the Iranian model in Yemen.
“From that time, 3 years ago, and today, we have worked tirelessly through a peaceful political process to prepare national dialogue, the broad national dialogue which continued for a year’s time. It brought together all political forces of Yemen. It created an honorable precedent in our country. Then followed a transparent process for the drafting of the constitution, then, a draft constitution,a secular, democratic, and modern one. You followed the political timelines and dates as they came up and provided direct support.
“While the political transition process drew to a close, and the constitution was supposed to be submitted to popular referendum, Houthis undertook a military and political coup d’etat, occupying Sanaa, wreaking havoc on the institutions, hospitals, mosques, schools, homes, residences. All and any weapons were used, and I’m including arms from the Yemeni army.
“This was indeed a despaired attempt to impose an Iranian model through the use of force. Furthermore, political leaders and thousands of citizens were either surrounded or killed. Media was surrounded and thousands of children were enlisted by force, and also anti-personnel mines were layed. Schools, and houses, were turned into public weapon stockpiles, and areas for the army. Houthi militias spoke about spreading to neighboring countries. Thus endangering regional peace and security, as well as international peace and security.
“We attempted to deal with the Houthis. They were given every chance and included in national dialogue. While they continued to hold their weapons and refused to create a political party pursuant to law. All of this was accepted in spite of the events since 2004. Saleh’s fight has never been a peaceful one, as was the Southern Movement. The Sadaa province saw its citizens expelled. Houthis seized military areas. In spite of our positive approach to this armed movement, and the various agreement concluded with the Houthi movement, time and time again agreements were cast aside. A coup d’etat was perpetrated against the state. People were ill treated. Houthi militia, as well as those of Saleh, as well as their actions led us under article 51 to appeal to neighboring countries.
“The response was a courageous one. The response of our brother, his majesty Salman bin Abdel-Aziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who acted with utter determination. On behalf of the Yemeni people I should like to convey sincere thanks to the King as well as all members of the coalition, who continue their efforts to assist the Yemeni people. We find ourselves mired in this battle, the fight for the contry and the legitimacy of the state, to ensure that the country not fall into the hands of Iran, which would like to see the destruction of the country.
“You are aware of the human tragedy of our people, and this due to the blockade imposed by the militias, who continue their coup d’etat. You are mindful of the destruction and worsening of public services in various provinces. This requires greater effort, internationally, so as to alleviate human suffering. While the UN have announced an appeal for humanitarian assistance for Yemen, yearly, contributions fall short, and cover a meager portion of needs. Thus I’d like to take this opportunity to once again address and appeal to donor countries to ensure that they provide promised assistance. The government of the Republic of Yemen would like to see the arrival of humanitarian assistance to provide for all those in need in all provinces, without exclusion, and oversight mechanism for humanitarian convoys proposed by the UN would allow for the return of economic prosperity and the arrival of humanitarian assistance by all ports in Yemen.
“The government has been transferred to Aden. This I believe will improve the living conditions for citizens. It will also reestablish the provision of services, which had been destroyed by Houthi and Saleh militias. Without a doubt, and quite clearly, there is no better place to remain alongside my heroic people. This has been our position since the very beginning of the combat. We have cooperated with all authentic efforts of the international community, and in particular Mr Ban Ki-moon and Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the Special Envoy of the Secretary General, pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2216.
“Then, the political process continued according to the process of national dialogue, pursued by the GCC. Allow me to reiterate that all efforts for peaceful settlement to the political crisis are ones which should be welcomed and supported. Once again I would like to convey to the putschists, the Houthis, the Saleh militia, that they must lay down their weapons. They must act in line with reason, and implement Security Council Resolution 2216 in a heartfelt manner. I have come to support peace and accord. I am not talking about a peace which would divide, but rather peace from which stems order and cohesion. Allow me to urge the implementation of the most recent Security Council resolution, which indeed conveys the credibility of the Council itself. I do hope efforts made by the UN will be crowned with success. This will ensure that we will act in line with the aspirations of our people, who have been so patient and so sincere.
“Terrorism is a true threat for states. We have endeavored to the extent of our power to combat terrorism. We have conducted a determined drive against it. And this, in partnership with frjendly countries. Had there not been a coup d’etat, and the ensuing extremism which created a breeding ground for terrorism. I would like to reiterate our confidence and support for the government leading the push back against terrorism with international aid. Given the geographical location of Yemen, the stability of our country is a source of stability for our region and the world.
“The General Assembly coincides with the glorious revolutions of September and October of my country. I would like to express my thanks to all the Yemeni people who are proud, patient. I reiterate my commitment to achieving the ambitions of those two glorious revolutions. We shall not allow the Houthis, nor anyone else, to repeat the Iranian experience in Yemen.
“Seventy years since the inception of the UN, an organization which has succeeded in lessening conflicts through its very principles. We reiterate our commitment to working for future generations. This is a commitment to future generations as well as a commitment of making the world more prosperious, more freely through unity.
The Saudi Mission to the UN, doling out information selectively as always, tweeted a photo of a meeting between its Ambassador and the deputy ambassadors of Security Council members the UK and US, of the EU - and UN humanitarian deputy Kyung-hwa Kang. What did Kyung-hwa Kang, if not the Ambassadors, say about the airstrikes?
The UN's envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, after complaining about his leaked email showing his marginalization from Yemen talks, that Hadi had committed to come to talks. The Security Council praised him in a Press statement.
Then Hadi canceled. It is similar to the UN's ceasefire-that-wasn't, and the failed "talks" in Geneva in which the UN never gave the Houthis passes to get into the UN building, after allowing them to be delayed along the way so that Ban never met them (while meeting with an individual on the US Al Qaeda sanctions list.)
In many contexts it's "three strikes and you're out," in this case faux ceasefire and two talks that never happened. But the Security Council has not updated its Press Statement of praise; some members apparently simply work around the UN envoy. We'll have more on this.