As UN Silent on Government Threats from Congo New Communicators on Way

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, November 5 -- With the UN Mission in Congo under fire for working in the eastern Kivu provinces with units of the Congolese army which have slaughtered civilians, now the Congolese army has vowed to stamp out and suppress people in the northwest.

Inner City Press asked UN spokesperson Michele Montas for any response or comment on the UN's government partner vowing stepped up military action just after charges of war crimes. Video here, from Minute 26:13.

Ms Montas replied, "I'm not going to comment on a statement made by the government." Given that the UN Mission in the Congo has a mandate to protect civilians, and the government's own soldiers are charged with slaughtering civilians, such civility seems misplaced.

UN's Ban and Ms. Montas, no comment on governments, changes in the wings

The current spokesman of MONUC Kevin Kennedy has recently taken issue with statements of the Congolese Army. Sources in New York tell Inner City Press that Kennedy may be among those trying out to replace Ms. Montas as Ban Ki-moon's spokesman, while editor Leonard Doyle formerly of the Independent may be the one in line for Ed Mortimer's old job, or half of it, chief of communications. Michael Myer would stay in charge of speeches. That his current job is being split in half has been multiply confirmed. There is a need for clarity. Watch this site.