The Risk Professional: UN eats humble pie over Belarus mistake

When the United Nations issued a condemnation of the activities of Belarus in relation to sanctions busting, the press release included a comment that a spokesman for the government of Belarus had denied that there had been any supply of any arms including, in particular, three attack helicopters.

But the UN, in haste, issued the condemnation including strong words from Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary-General.

But within two days, the UN has been forced to back down and to issue a formal apology.

“This [is a] troubling event and a mistaken report,” Under-Secretary-General Alain Le Roy, head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), told a news briefing of the account that a Belarussian plane had landed in Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday evening.

On Sunday evening, the UN Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) said it had received reports that a flight corresponding to this description landed at Yamoussoukro. Given the seriousness of the issue, it was decided to raise the matter publicly.

But, Mr. Le Roy said, the information came from a report given to the Group of Experts established by the Security Council to monitor the arms embargo against Côte d'Ivoire regarding three attack helicopters and related equipment that were going to be delivered to the forces loyal to Mr. Gbagbo.

“I [have] presented on behalf of DPKO and the United Nations our deep regret and apologies to Belarus and I welcome particularly the fact that… the Belarussian authorities have reconfirmed their full compliance with the embargo,” Mr Le Roy said after meeting Belarussian Charge d’Affaires Zoya Kolonta.

Belarus has checked that none of their private company is engaged in any arms deal in Côte d’Ivoire, he said, apologising for any harm caused.

“It was UNOCI making the wrong report and of course as head of DPKO I take the blame for that,” said Mr. Le Roy. He added that such mistaken UN reports are extremely rare and DPKO places a high premium on the accuracy of its reporting.