U.N. Quakes over Scandal Book

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/6/13/120450.shtml ^ | June 14, 2004 | Stewart Stogel

[Maria S]

UNITED NATIONS - United Nations officials are quaking over revelations made in a just released book about the world body that details wild sex and drug parties on peackeeping mission.

As first revealed by NewsMax, the book, "Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures" (Miramax Books), by Ken Cain, Heidi Postlewait and Andrew Thomson -- all current or former U.N. employees -- has the potential of being a major embarrassment for Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The U.N. desperately tried to stop the publication of the book -- even threatening two of the authors with possible dismissal.

Since NewsMax exclusively revealed excerpts of the book -- the book has gained worldwide attention, with reports in The Times (London), The Daily Telegraph (London), The New York Post, CNN and other outlets. Pre-release book sales have also soared -- jumping more than 2 million slots in Amazon's ranking system. The controversial hardcover is a compilation of personal memoirs by three U.N. peacekeeping employees over the last decade.

While the "interpersonal" relationships the book centers on is of minimal interest, what the intrepid U.N. employees see around them has lit fires in U.N. headquarters.

Among many of the "observations" presented in the book:

Drug taking and excessive drinking by U.N. personnel in Cambodia and other peacekeeping venues was common.

"Peacekeepers" sent by Bulgaria to serve in Cambodia were in reality prison convicts and psychiatric ward patients.

Details of a cover up by a senior U.N. official of an ambush of a U.N. convoy in Mogadishu, Somalia.

A demanded kickback of some salary from U.N. employees to their supervisors.

An allegation that U.N. chief Kofi Annan personally suppressed a report (1994) warning of an impending massacre in the African nation of Rwanda. At the time, Annan directed U.N. peacekeeping affairs.

More than 800,000 people in Rwanda and neighboring Burundi eventually lost their lives according to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva.

Warnings In early April 2004, the two current U.N. employees (Postlewait and Thomson) received written and verbal warnings that they had violated staff rules and faced punitive action if the book was released and they promoted it.

The authors not only ignored the warnings, but have since begun a series of media interviews and plan a book signing tour later this month.

Miramax pointed out the book would be released since they are not bound by any U.N. restrictions.

U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard agreed, but insisted that the U.N. could and most likely will take action against the two employees.

Despite numerous reports that the U.N. has opted to do nothing other than reprimand the two authors, Eckhard has insisted that no final decision has yet been made. He also believes the final act will go beyond a formal reprimand.

The U.N. has the right to fire the authors but such an action must be accepted by a disciplinary committee. The two authors are so-called "contract" or fixed-term employees.

Any action the U.N. brass eventually takes against the authors is expected to impact on the entire organization.

Some senior U.N. veterans with permanent contracts, feel that Annan and Co. will "chicken out" and just discipline the authors. They are now actively considering writing their own tales.

"I am looking for a $1 million advance," says one high-ranking U.N. official.

"If all I get is a letter of reprimand, I'll take it," he laughed.

The U.N.'s Eckhard would only say "stay tuned."

[Maria S]

I'm about halfway through the book, and it IS an interesting read. Written in first person, it goes back and forth between the three UN employees, as each writes what he or she is going through in each location. I think it's most interesting to me because of the way each one relates how he/she is feeling about their situations (and some are pretty bad/dangerous/primitive). Like reading someone's diary.

From the article: 'While the "interpersonal" relationships the book centers on is of minimal interest, what the intrepid U.N. employees see around them has lit fires in U.N. headquarters.'

I can understand why the UN has concern because of what the UN employees say happens at different locations.

[etcetera]

I read the book and don't understand what the fuss is about. A little dope smoking, a little sex - heck these people are Americans from the post-60's era.

And U.N. peacekeeping missions - they ship 20,000 armed peace keepers and 2,000 office staff to sleepy Cambodian towns, what do they think would happen...an increase in church attendance?

[GailA]

FNC said there is a new damning report out on useless nations intergity.

[BushisTheMan]

I believe it was a survey done of the UN employees. Many employees said that the UN was corrupt and it was at the top and a "good ol' boy network." If you were in the network, all was good; if not, then your morale is probably low. They noted corruption, bribes, violations, etc.

They were thrilled that a survey was done (by Deloitte?).
And told the survey people the problem is at the top.

Kofi sent out a memo telling people if they knew of anything that they should whistle blow, to do it. JOKE! That only identifies you for firing by Kofi.

A committe should be set up to talk to people who have recently left the UN to get the REAL truth. Kofi needs to be replaced...SOON!

[Never2baCrat]

<> NO! He does not need to be replaced. He should be removed from his throne, thrown in a dark dungeon and forgotten about. Then the rest of his merry band of thugs and accomplices should be split up and sent, unarmed, to all the hot spots on the planet, to get their rewards from the people they have screwed over the years!

[rogueleader]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/1401352014/