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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Nov 14 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's example is his mission in Afghanistan, about which his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about a sex abuse case against the UN there. Now this, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press:

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Nov 7 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's follow up is on his mission in Colombia, about which his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about the newest sex abuse case against the UN there. Now this, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press:

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Oct 28 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's example in his mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, about which his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about the newest sex abuse case against the UN there. A week ago, Inner City Press published this from a UN whistleblower:

"Dear Mr. Matthew Russell Lee:

 ...The Principal Coordination Officer, Director of SRSG of UNMISS has recently been ousted due to a sexual misconduct case."

Inner City Press has in writing asked some 60 people in Guterres' UN to confirm or deny the names - no answer at all. So we have receive this

"The individual who was sent home due to a sexual scandal is Boitshoko Mokgathe. The woman who accused him is Catherine Shin, a senior Political Affairs Officer. [No denial or comment from UN] Catherine Shin  filed a case against Boithshoko Mokgathe, highlighting the severe shortcomings in the mission’s management structure. This incident underscores how weak leadership has led to the mission's dysfunction, with many individuals being appointed to key roles without relevant experience, often influenced by retired brokers. and  New York connections."

There are numerous corruption cases that remain unaddressed, as UN New York  seems to prefer remaining silent. The advisors to SRSG are weak, and SRSG - Nicholas Haysom, an at time jovial man who did nothing when Inner City Press to whom he has spoken about the UN's failure in Sri Lanka was banned -- :being of advanced age, struggles to manage the office effectively."

In anticipation of the arrival from New York of Catherine Pollard [who laughed or cheered as UN Security roughed up Inner City Press throwing it out of the UN while it covered a craven Guterres speech] several officials are taking leave to avoid being questioned. 

We will have more on this.

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Oct 23 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's follow up is on his mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, about which his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about the newest sex abuse case against the UN there. Now this, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press:

Dear Mr. Matthew Russell Lee:

 ...Employment of Mr. Samson Muteti: It has come to light that Mr. Samson Muteti, who is the brother-in-law of Aggrey, has been retained in his position despite his involvement in ongoing criminal financial fraud cases in Kenya.

 Mandatory Contributions from Employees: It has been reported that each Kenyan employee hired by Aggrey is required to contribute two months' salary to a fund. This fund is intended to support the construction of an office building in a prime location in Nairobi, which will be leased to an international NGO. The legality and fairness of this mandatory contribution need to be reviewed... Mr Samson who was accused of embezzlement from his government and was fired before he was recruited by UNAMID. 

Aggrey Kedogo, currently serving as CORM (D1) with UNMISS and a Kenyan citizen, previously held the position of CHRO with UNAMID. During his tenure, he allegedly manipulated Sudanese authorities by recruiting their relatives as NPOs in Khartoum in exchange for favorable visa arrangements, allowing him to control who could work in the mission. As a result, a disproportionate number of Nigerian and Kenyan nationals were recruited.  Aggrey reportedly collaborated with OIC MSD, Anthony Newke, a Nigerian national who was dismissed in November 2016 for multiple infractions.  Aggrey also reportedly hired his sister-in-law, Ruth Munge, as an International Contractor and placed her in various sections despite her lack of qualifications.  Now also sent to OIOS - which covers up, and did nothing on DSS roughing up the Press.

 It is Guterres, they say, who should resign - and end censorship. Watch this site.

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Oct 18 – How corrupt has the UN become under Antonio Guterres? Today's example is from the MONUSCO "peacekeeping" mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, sent to Inner City Press which Guterres and his Melissa Fleming ban from entering the UN to ask, while Spox Stephane Dujarric refuses written questions:

To the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York: We hereby inform you of our desire to denounce from 01/10/2024 the problems that fill us being that Individual CONTRACTORS (IC's) of MONUSCO / UNOPS in Goma.

 We have taken care to inform all or denounce all kinds of shenanigans that are happening here in Goma concerning the IC's of MONUSCO / UNOPS. ie there is a band of the engineering team of MONUSCO / Goma. The latter are there to give our projects to subcontracting houses (Baraka Sun and others) allowing a retroactive commission that has no impact on the mission. This is the latter teaches us against corruption.

They are the ones who practice it through the projects of the IC's. Ex: If the project is of 10000$ (Ten Thousand Dollars) for the advantage of the IC's, They give it to an individual from abroad either a Rwandan or a Ugandan to do it for 5000$ (Five Thousand Dollars) and the rest returns their advantages by filling their private pockets. We condemn this act of this gang of criminals for the Congolese of the East of the Country in war and unemployment.

we demand the massive departure of Rogers Tonda and Paul Chalnoub-Boueri all from Engineering Goma and in the annex their comrades in struggle will be extended. To conclude, being INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTORS of MONUSCO/UNOPS working since 2001 until today, for the moment the existence of IC's in the service is five percent in all sections combined to the detriment of subcontracting houses which will soon start their projects shortly. Here is the list of his companions or criminals of Congolese: Choki Dorgi, Amit Kumar, Amadou Timbila. The

Applicants: INDIVIDUALS CONTRACTING MONUSCO UNOPS in Goma

UN corruption expands under Guterres who bans the Press and refuses its questions.

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by Matthew Russell Lee

UN GATE, Oct 8 – After eight years of failure as UNSG, Antonio Guterres is trying to pick his successor. First, this from over the transom: "Rebeca Grynspan took the helm of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 2021 imbued with unbridled ambition.  She immediately embarked on a campaign to use the position as a steppingstone to the UN Secretary-General job in 2026 and started positioning her close allies to set up the necessary machinery for that."

Now on October 8, this: "Since assuming office in 2021, Grynspan has wasted no time in leveraging her position as a platform for her own political aspirations. The organization’s 60th anniversary event in June, which should have been an opportunity to renew its commitment to advancing the interests of the developing world, was instead used as a launchpad for her campaign for the UN’s top job.   In 2022, UN chief Antonio Guterres assigned Grynspan to coordinate a task force working on the global response to the impacts of the war in Ukraine, and she quickly turned it into the vehicle for her UN campaign, pushing UNCTAD’s work to the back burner. Instead, she spends her time scratching the backs of developed countries in hopes that they will return the favour when the time comes for her bid for the UN Secretary-General position." Part 1 of x

 Inner City Press filled out a poll on June 11 - the most important qualification for any future SG is refusal to censor as Guterres has. Watch this site.

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 4 – How corrupt is today's United Nations? Well, during the UNGA "High Level" week a Russian state reporter had accreditation stripped or downgraded after an encounter with Germany's Foreign Minister.

 Then after a Russian complaint to SG Antonio Guterres, "the issue is being dealt with between the Russian Federation and our colleagues in the Department of Global Communications," according to Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric.  

Inner City Press in writing asked, Dujarric, Melissa Fleming, the Swiss Mission and 50 others: "On the change of UN accreditation to a Russian state media correspondent, and the statement that Melissa Fleming / DGC was "dealing" with it with the Russian Mission, immediately state what happened, and why - and why Fleming has refused to answer letters about the ban on Inner City Press from pro bono law firms Quinn Emanuel and Duane Morris."

Dujarric and 50 others refused to answer, but sent this to others: "The actions of the journalist in question were a breach of the Media Access Guidelines...  In light of this breach, the journalist’s status was changed by the Department of Global Communications to non-resident correspondent. He remains an accredited journalist, able to access UNHQ and cover meetings, briefings and other events.    

 No answer from Dujarric - but Russia's PR on October 4 did another stakeout, about Nordstream, and didn't mention the issue, clearly satisfied with Guterres' capitulation, on this and more important matters.

And this is the same Dujarric who got Inner City Press thrown out of the UN Briefing Room and the UN, and refuses to answer its daily written questions. This is Guterres' UN - and we'll have more, much more, on it.

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Sept 24 – As the UN General Assembly week under SG Antonio Guterres, who bans Press that investigates him, got underway, he met with Iran Masoud Pezeshkian and praised "Iran's important role." But unlike his other photo-ops, the UN withheld the video, for 18 hours. Finally, after Press-ure, it is here.

  On September 24, Guterres went on and on about the rule of law, while banning the Press and citing immunity in court. Joe Biden was late but name-checked Sudan and even Uganda; UK Starmer called for the release of the "sausages."

  As noted Nigeria's president Tinubu bagged out, instead sending his Vice President.

The UN PGA's spokesperson Sharon Birch-Jeffreys, who refused written Press questions, told one allowed in that she didn't know if that meant Nigeria has to give up its first-day speaking spot.

   Guterres also met with Canada's Justin Trudeau and Bob Rae, who followed Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric in blocking the Press on X. 

Inner City Press before being banned from the UN by @AntonioGuterres asked @JustinTrudeau a question about Canada arming Saudi Arabia- he called it bad behavior. On Sept 22, 2024, grip n grin of Guterres with Trudeau - & @BobRae48 who blocks Inner City Press on X pic.twitter.com/tYYFoMUrnF

— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) September 23, 2024

 Today's UN is in freefall, like bombs on both sides of Lebanon's Blue Line, as as the gabfest starts. Inner City Press applied to UN MALU's Melissa Fleming to enter to cover UNGA - as to letters from pro bono law firms Quinn Emanuel and Duane Morris, she refused to even answer. Totally corrupt. 

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 19 –   How corrupt is the UN under Antonio Guterres? For exposing his links to convicted bribery firm CEFC China Energy, he's banned Inner City Press. But disgusted UN staff continue to send Inner City Press their correspondence to "Big Tony," like on September 12 this, Part 3 (no answers on Part 1 nor Part 2 - UN staff coming forward with more)

Mr. SG  We would like to give you an update summarizing the disasters that have been happening during the long tenure of USG Khare and Ms. Van Den Berg in DOS.  We believe the below summary is significant to understand the current situations we are going through in most of the Missions:  continuing with the DMS and CMS, past and current ones:  -         

Inner City Press exclusively covered these - and remains banned by Guterres.

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 11 –   How corrupt is the UN under Antonio Guterres? For exposing his links to convicted bribery firm CEFC China Energy, he's banned Inner City Press. But disgusted UN staff continue to send Inner City Press their correspondence to "Big Tony," like on September 11 this, Part 1:

Mr. SG  We would like to give you an update summarizing the disasters that have been happening during the long tenure of USG Khare and Ms. Van Den Berg in DOS.  We believe the below summary is significant to understand the current situations we are going through in most of the Missions:  Starting from the DMS and CMS, past and current ones:  -         

Elija Karambizi, D1, left the UN, from day to night, as he was caught abusing the Education Grant.  -         

Milan Trojanovic, D2, left because of his involvement in harassment and shady business involving the UN with his wife’s company; and the continuous harassment and racism towards African Colleagues.  -         

Sandi Arnold, D1, CMS in Kosovo was dismissed without UN benefit for fraud and several harassments, including sexual harassment.  

Inner City Press exclusively covered that one - banned by Guterres.

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by Matthew Russell Lee

UN GATE, Sept 5 -- How corrupt is today's UN? Well, SG Antonio Guterres while failing on Gaza and Ukraine is on a  junket through Tonga and Timor Leste, on the way to visiting Xi Jinping in China.

   On August 16 the UN announced the trip, leaving the China leg for last. Inner City Press remains banned by Guterres from entering to ask, no action on this application to enter.

  Now at the FOCAC - Forum on China - Africa Cooperation, Guterres has gushed or slobbered, "as outlined in President Xi’s remarks at last year’s Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that I had the honor to attend." Cha-ching.

Guterres' office / bagman in China blocks the Press, as does he, after Inner City Press exposed his undisclosed link to convicted UN briber CEFC China Energy.

   Earlier when the UN moved against Inner City Press for its coverage, Timor Leste's Jose Ramos Horta which had answered its questions inquired - and was lied to, that some unspecified rule had been broken.  But did he follow up? We'll have more on this.

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Aug 29  – After a United Nations legal official was filmed saying those in the UN are terrified of a possible second Trump term as US President, a formal complaint against him was filed with the UN Ethics Office by a staff who, fearing retaliation, sent a copy to Inner City Press, banned from the UN by SG Antonio Guterres:

Date: On Thursday, 29 August 2024 at 4:48 PM Subject: Report of serious misconduct by Mr. Jorge Paoletti Martinez (P2 1510 ASSOCIATE LEGAL OFFICER, Index Number 10086542)

 To: oioshotline, SERPASOARES@UN.ORG, ALFORD, swanson1, schultz2, ndiaye, lopez22, thanabalasingam, pollardc@un.org 

Dear OIOS and OLA Colleagues  By now you would likely have seen the article in the New York Post published today: The United Nations is “terrified” at the prospect of a second Trump presidency, according to a leaked conversation with a senior official at the global agency.  “I’m not sure the United Nations is going to survive a second term from Donald Trump,” Jorge Paoletti, an associate legal officer at the UN Office of Legal Affairs in New York, said

 This conduct is a violation of Staff Regulations 1.2(f), 1.2(g) and 1.2(i), Staff Rule 1.2(t), as well as Section 4 of ST/AI/2000/13  Staff Regulation 1.2(f) “staff members shall ensure that their views and convictions do not adversely affect their official duties or the interests of the United Nations....

Staff Rule 1.2(t) “Staff members shall not, except in the normal course of official duties or with the prior approval of the Secretary-General, engage in any outside activities that relate to the purpose, activities or interests of the United Nations. Outside activities include but are not limited to: (i) Issuing statements to the press, radio or other agencies of public information; (ii) Accepting speaking engagements; (iii) Taking part in film, theatre, radio or television productions...

Given what was done to Kennedy for losing sensitive data later published by Inner City Press and to Emma Reilly for talking to the press, this "senior official" (P-2 lol) must be sanctioned for bringing the organisation into disrepute.

  Just because he works for our offices in OLA should not give him preferential status. 

I have submitted this report anonymously for fear for retaliation. 

 Watch this site.

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, August 17 – How corrupt is the UN system under Antonio Guterres? Today we turn to UNIDO:

"Dear Matthew Lee, We are writing to urgently bring to your attention serious concerns regarding the mismanagement and potential misappropriation of European Union funds allocated to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).  Our efforts reporting Ygor Scarcia internally to UNIDO Human Resources and the Internal Oversight Directorate have gone in vain.

Mr. Ygor Scarcia appears to be protected by his Managing Director, Mr. Gunther Beger and Director Dejene Tezera. We have been advised to reach out to you by several staff here at the United Nations in Austria.  

 Specific Irregularities  We would like to highlight irregularities in the management of Project ID 200319, associated with Grant ID 2000004755, under the supervision of Mr. Ygor Scarcia. Several red flags indicate potential misuse of funds previously extended to Mr. Scarcia by Italy, UNDP, Japan, including those from the EURO Trust Fund financed by the EU. Project details can be accessed through the following links:  UNIDO Project ID 200319 UNIDO Project ID 220134 UNIDO Project ID 170097 UNIDO Project ID 190362

There have been numerous instances where project expenses appear to be based on forged deliverables and fake reports to justify these expenditures. Indications suggest Mr. Scarcia may be channeling funds to entities or individuals with whom he has personal affiliations, effectively embezzling funds extended to UNIDO by various donors, notably the EU, UNDP, Japan, and Italian funds. Mr. Scarcia has consistently misled UNIDO, implementing opaque practices and forging reports and invoices. Mr. Scarcia has submitted forged invoices and deliverable reports to justify approvals from the UNIDO finance and procurement team, transferring payments to vendors with personal ties. These funds are then channeled to offshore bank accounts [End of Part 1] We appreciate the vital work you do

Keep it coming. Though Inner City Press remains banned by Guterres and no response by his Melissa Fleming to this, we continue reporting - keep it coming. And watch this site.

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by Matthew Russell Lee

UN GATE, Aug 22 -- How corrupt is today's UN? Well, SG Antonio Guterres while failing on Gaza and Ukraine is on a South Pacific junket to Samoa and Tonga, as a pretext to visiting Xi Jinping in China.

   On August 16 the UN announced the trip, leaving the China leg for last. Inner City Press remains banned by Guterres from entering to ask, no action on this application to enter.

On August 22 Guterres after radio silence intoned in Samoa, "the United Nations stands with the Pacific in calling for justice and change." Which UN? The UN Green Climate Fund's corruption stalled the Vaisigano River Catchment Project, and one of Guterres' interlocutors previously reported "the UN's Samoa office (a multi-country desk which also oversees the UN's Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau programmes) was stripped of its authority to manage the Vaisigano Catchment and other development projects due to the concerns about its financial mismanagement." No mention of any of this in the propaganda trip

  Xi and China own Guterres, and use him for their Operation Fox Hunt plans. Belt and Roadkill book here, Fox Hunt book here

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by Matthew Russell Lee

UN GATE, Aug 16 -- How corrupt is today's UN? Well, SG Antonio Guterres while failing on Gaza and Ukraine is heading off on a South Pacific junket to Samoa and Tonga, as a pretext to visiting Xi Jinping in China.

   On August 16 the UN announced the trip, leaving the China leg for last. Inner City Press remains banned by Guterres from entering to ask, no action on this application to enter.

  Xi and China own Guterres, and use him for their Operation Fox Hunt plans. Belt and Roadkill book here, Fox Hunt book here

***

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Aug 5 –   As Sheikh Hasina flees Bangladesh it's worth remembered that until the very end, the United Nations of Antonio Guterres praised her for giving "peacekeepers" to its missions in Africa (where many were charged with sexual abuse of those they were ostensibly protecting, none held accountable) - and that Sheikh Hasina was part of the Ng Lap Seng / South South News corruption axis.

   Inner City Press repeated asked Guterres and his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming about these issues; their response was to have Inner City Press roughed up and placed on a continuing ban from entering the UN.

  Now Sheikh Hasina is fleeing. Watch this site

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Aug 1 – Sierra Leone took over the UN Security Council presidency on August 1, 2024 - while Inner City Press is still banned from the UN, despite its June 19 application.

On July 31, Inner City Press wrote to the Sierra Mission: "This is a timely request that you allow Inner City Press to enter and cover, and/or provide the WebEx  pass code(s) to access Sierra Leone's UNSC Presidency press briefing by your  Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu on August 1, 2024. I have questions to ask on what you will do this month about Gaza and Sudan, DRC and Rwanda, as well as the coups in Gabon and Niger and the conflicts in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Yemen and Libya -  and on ongoing cases of sexual abuse and exploitation by UN peacekeepers, and Missions' abuses in NYC, on many of which Inner City Press first reported

Please note that Inner City Press and I participate in the WebEx briefings of, for example, the IMF: March 31, 2022 and since with new IMF spokesperson Sept 28, 2023:

  Sierra Leone, which as first reported by Inner City Press, refuses to even keep its UN Mission in good repair, did not answer; its ambassador conducted a propaganda presser with the Press banned, video here. We will not cease.

 Watch this site.

 Inner City Press on June 19, 2024 again applied to the UN for access, as it gives 100s, to cover the UNGA week. Inner City Press has a NYC Press Pass and writes about the UN. From Sierra Leone and its UN Mission, nothing.

Watch this site. 

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, July 26 – How corrupt is today's UN?

  Well, two days before the election in Venezuela, UNSG Antonio Guterres' deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said while Guterres is spending public money to send some people down to Caracas, whatever they report on the election will be "confidential" and only for him.  

From the UN transcript: "an invitation by the Venezuelan electoral authorities. And what we did is we undertook a needs assessment which determines that there was broad national support for this type of UN electoral assistance. So, a panel of four experts was deployed in early July. They're going to remain in country until a little bit after election day. Unlike UN electoral observer missions, these panels of electoral experts do not issue public statements on the conduct of the electoral process or the results. Instead, the panel will prepare a confidential internal report to the Secretary-General."

  This is the same cover up Guterres did for now imprisoned former Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernandez - a report that was never made public. Haq and his sidekick / boss (mentor?) Stephane Dujarric have refused to answer banned Inner City Press' written questions about that report. And this one? Watch this site.

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, July 18 – How corrupt is today's UN? Well, while it bans the Press which exposed the bribery of UN Presidents of the General Assembly John Ashe (by Ng Lap Seng) and Sam Kutesa (by the China Energy Fund Committee), it will install a new PGA in 2025 without any competition, no other candidates: Helga Schmid.

  Will she be any better, at a minimum in ending censorship of Press? When current PGA Dennis Francis took over at President of the General Assembly, his spokesperson Monica Grayley directed the press to his website.

But days later on September 11, under "Transparency," there were only two pages, both of which said "No posts."  Now 40% owned by China.

This week Francis has belated put online a PDF of staffers - but NOT of who pays them, a minimal reform announced after PGA Ashe's indictment. It includes "Mr. Ralph A. Kader Special Adviser to the PGA (Strategic Engagements and Resource Mobilization)."

  Among other things, Ralph Kader has been listed (and paid) as the "foreign minister" of the fake country of Monte de Agrella, which Inner City Press exposed before being thrown out by SG Antonio Guterres and still banned.

Inner City Press must be re-admitted to ask. Corruption.

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by Matthew R. Lee

UN GATE, July 8 – How corrupt is the UN under Antonio Guterres?

Now with the UN humanitarian chief position empty for more than a week, insiders are promoting Robert Piper as successor to Martin Griffiths (who like Guterres did not disclose his income, with Guterres omitting his link to the China Energy Fund Committee).

  Inner City Press before Guterres threw it out and banned it asked Piper questions, see here - and most recently mentioned him in a scoop about Oscar Fernandez-Taranco on whom Spox Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming have refused written questions, including about Taranco's sell-out of not only Sri Lanka but then the Maldives.

 We'll have more on all this.

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, July 10 –  Antonio Guterres as UN Secretary General has used public funds to order expensive wines, and then complained about them. He lives rent-free in a mansion on Sutton Place, and uses multiple UN Security guards on his three week long vacations on the Croatian coast and elsewhere. 

 On July 9, Guterres stuffed his face on "Chicken Kiev" and Russian River Valley wine, sponsored by the Russian mission.

 Inner City Press, which has reported on Guterres' dalliance since he came in as SG and has been banned by Guterres from entering the UN since 2018, with spokesman Stephane Dujarric refusing the written questions he said online he would answer and Melissa Fleming refusing to answer two pro bono law firms and Inner City Press' application to re-enter, publishes the menu here

Glad you liked the post (and Inner City Press story about UN Secretary General @AntonioGuterres gorging himself amid slaughter on Russian River Valley wine and Chicken Kiev, Big Tony's Big Lunch - putting menu below https://t.co/kPqKj7Thwn pic.twitter.com/GKMLb7RCqG

— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) July 12, 2024

Watch this site.

by Matthew Russell Lee

UN GATE, June 29 –   Today's UN under Antonio Guterres is falling apart - including literally. While Guterres bans the Press from UNHQ in New York, UNOV in Vienna is a fire hazard, even its spokesman says, if only to UNOV/UNODC – IAEA – UNIDO – CTBTO. Banned Inner City Press publishes it:   

             In May 2024, the Facility Management Services (BMS) spotted during routine maintenance work in the C Building that a small section of the fire-retardant material that covers the steel structure of the C Building had detached. ·     

 The Host Country agency responsible for the VIC and adjacent Austrian Centre (IAKW) is currently undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the situation and will determine what repair work is required.  · 

     The Austrian authorities determined that the building can remain in operation and asked the VBOs, as a precautionary measure,  to reduce the number of people present in the C Building by, to the extent possible, moving meetings to the M Building or elsewhere.  

  Elsewhere? [Note: IAKW stands for Internationales Amtssitz und Konferenzzentrum Wien.

         Martin Nesirky  Director  United Nations Information Service, Vienna  Department of Global Communications

***

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, June 27 – How corrupt is the UN under Antonio Guterres? Well, Inner City Press has repeatedly reported on UNFPA's Natalia Kanem and her misuse of taxpayers' funds for her son - and now, sexual abuse promoted by UNFPA. From sources to Inner City Press, which Guterres's spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse to answer:

Hello Inner City Press, The information below and the evidence attached,about Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, has been brought to the attention of OIOS but as usual they might try to look the other way, as if it doesn’t matter. So, this must be brought to the attention of the public and especially the member states who are apparently paying lip service to the ‘zero tolerance’ slogan.  This is clearly a case of corruption, high ethical misconduct and sexual predation. We shall see if the UN high command will again sweep this under the carpet. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.   Conflict of Interest by the ED of UNFPA -

How Natalia Kanem Made UNFPA Pay $10,000 for her Son's Vacation   We have information for you in relation to Case number OIOS/0519/24. Further to the many stories now circulating about the conflict of interest by Natalia Kanem in her misuse of power and role as Executive Director of UNFPA. We have proof from whistle blowers about her son, Mandela Gregoire. If this is true, it is a very bad misconduct of a high order and should be accordingly treated  We get information showing that UNFPA money was used to pay for Mandela's vacation trip in December 2019, for the ‘Year of Return' celebrations in Ghana. It look like normal thing, and no one should normally criticize someone for vacation. But the problem is the vacation was paid by UNFPA money.

 We have reliable information saying his travel expenses, hotel, and chauffeur were paid by UNFPA funds, because of his mother's orders. It is not clear why or how this happened, because he is not staff and he did not work for the organization.  It is important to investigate if this action follow the organization's rules.  We have evidence, like the hotel invoice, showing that the expenses were billed to UNFPA.

 More worrying is a young female intern from the UNFPA office in Ghana, who stay with him during his visit, maybe for sexual reasons, because he is the ED's son. Surveillance video from the hotel proves this fact. The power between a young intern and the ED's son is bad for possible sexual exploitation.

 Also, information we have shows that Mandela was introduced to the country office by Dr. Kanem herself, which goes against her promise to fight sexual exploitation and harassment. In the case, she aid and abet it  When investigating this misconduct, it is not good to only ask people like the Country Representative and Deputy Representative at that time, because they might not tell all truth.

The former Country Representative in Ghana, Mr. Edward Ojuolape, who managed this, is close to Natalia Kanem, having work as her Chief of Staff before, and she call him 'my son’. He might hide important information. The former Deputy Representative, Madam Erika Goldson, another close person because they are both from Caribbean, might also not want to share important details.

  Inner City Press has more - watch this site

by Matthew Russell Lee

UN GATE, June 19 –  On World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations of Antonio Guterres claimed to be in support of journalists being able to do their work without hinderance.

  But UN Global Communications chief Melissa Fleming put out a video of Guterres equating what he (and she) characterize as disinformation as the threat to press freedom, Guterres has banned Inner City Press from entering the UN since 2018, when it exposed the omission of links to bribery firm CEFC China Energy from his financial disclosure. 

On June 19, 2024, Inner City Press submitted an application to cover the UN General Assembly, letter here.

 Law firm Quinn Emanuel, on a pro bono basis, wrote to Fleming and the UN Correspondents Association (with state media of China on its board of directors) seeking a dialogue to reinstate Inner City Press. Later, so did the pro bono law firm of Duane Morris.

There has been no answer to an appeal to Guterres head of security Gilles Michaud.   

But now, the application. Watch this site.

***

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 10 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Well, just as Guterres ignored whistleblowers' complaints through Inner City Press about UNFPA Kanem, now UNHCR:

UNHCRwhistleblower to Matthew Russell Lee

Dear Matthew,  We would like to seek your support and that of Inner City Press to report on our profound concern regarding the severe mismanagement and detrimental work environment prevailing at UNHCR's Global Learning and Development Centre (GLDC) in Budapest.

The primary cause of this crisis is attributed to Ms. Catty Bennet-Satler, Director of Human Resources, and Ms. Kelly Clements, Deputy High Commissioner, whose persistent poor judgment and ineffective leadership have fostered an extremely toxic work environment characterized by mistrust, rumors, and sabotage. 

Instances of blatant racism against individuals of African descent and other minorities have gone unaddressed, despite numerous attempts by both local and international staff to bring these matters to attention. Among the most appalling reports are whispers of comments suggesting a takeover by Muslims and gays, highlighting the pervasive discrimination within the Centre. 

With the upcoming official announcement that the Centre will be abolished and replaced with a small Section due to the financial crisis, we believe such turmoil could have been avoided with more effective management by Geneva-based leadership.

We also believe the financial crisis is being used as an excuse to eliminate a problem location without taking the appropriate course of actions to protect employees. What really saddens us is the fact that the DHC herself never cared to show her face when the announcement was made, confirming her utter lack of respect for Budapest-based employees 

Given these issues, it is evident that both the Director of Human Resources and the Deputy High Commissioner have failed to meet the needs of their staff and are now attempting to evade responsibility for the deteriorating situation.

Internally, our group of concerned colleagues has been communicating with the Ethics, IGO, and Ombuds teams without resolution.  Concerned Colleagues

by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, June 5 – How corrupt is the UN of Antonio Guterres? Well, Guterres had roughed up and banned the lone Press which questioned his financial disclosures omitting briber CEFC China Energy. Now this:

Hello Inner City Press, Please see the email trail below, and the serious ethical issues about Ms. Natalia Kanem that has been brought to the attention of UN investigators. It does not appear that anything is being done about it. We are bringing this mail trail to your attention, because it appears that the senior leadership of the UN is trying to cover up for their colleague. They should in the minimum know that staff will be unwilling to witness/testify forthrightly with the Executive Director still in place. We are counting on you to do the job of the watchdog

[That's what we do - bring it on]

From: OIOS Hotline
Dear Sir or Madame,  This is in response to the message below to the Investigations Division, Office of Internal Oversight Services (ID/OIOS).  Your report will be reviewed carefully by ID/OIOS, and a decision will be made as to the most appropriate method of addressing the information that you provided. In that review process, we will determine whether our office or another office is more suitable to address the matter you have raised.  For future reference this matter has been recorded as case number OIOS/0519/24.  Thank you and best regards.  ID/OIOS    

1. Who is/was engaged in the possible act(s) of misconduct?  Provide name, title and any other relevant details.  First Name: Natalia Last Name: Kanem Title: Executive Director of UNFPA

 Dear OIOS Officials, We are writing to express our grave concerns regarding several instances of misconduct by Mrs. Natalia Kanem, the Executive Director of UNFPA... Among the individuals impacted, Ms. Dawn Minott, Mrs. Kanem's former Special Assistant, stands out. Ms. Minott's experience of harassment, bullying, and intimidation by Mrs. Kanem compelled her to take over six months of mental health sick leave. Additionally, Mrs. Kanem's former Personal Assistant, Ms. Ada Cardenas was forced into early retirement due to similar issues. An investigation will shed light on the veracity of these allegations and provide a platform for affected individuals, such as Ms. Minott, Ms. Cardenas and several others, to testify and seek redress.

2. Conflict of Interest: Concerns have been raised regarding contracts awarded without due process, to Mrs. Kanem's son, Mr. Mandela Gregoire, without proper disclosure of their relationship, raising questions about nepotism and favoritism.

Mandela is a Cinematographer whose website flaunts a UN Laisser Passez. He also has UNFPA on his clientele list, along with records of documentaries that he has produced for the United Nations one of which is titled ‘Improving Girls Success Rates in Schools in Tanzania’, produced in 2015 while his mother, Mrs. Kanem was the UNFPA Representative in the country.

4. Sexual Abuse and Harassment: Reports suggest that Mrs. Kanem has engaged in sexual advances towards staff members and retaliated against those who rebuffed her... Examples of these friends and acquaintances of Mrs. Kanem who have benefited from contracts and grants from UNFPA of recent are Ms. Susan Davis, Ms. Leila Hessini and Mr. Djibril Diallo... Mrs. Kanem participated in the Walter Rodney Symposium in Atlanta in March, an event unrelated to UNFPA's mandate. Ms. Kanem also created a mission out of the inauguration  ceremony of Helen Gayle as the 11th President of Spelman College in Atlanta in April 2023. A look should be taken at Mrs. Kanem’s frequent travels to Dakar, ostensibly for official purposes but the real reason of which is that she has an holiday home in the country.

Mrs. Kanem compelled UNFPA to host a reception, at the organization's expense, in honor of her friend, Ms. Julia Bunting, in June 2023, upon her departure from Population Council.... It has come to our attention that Mrs. Kanem's husband reportedly hosted a private event in far away Australia, conveniently coinciding with her official mission there.