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UN defends DR Congo investigation | UN defends DR Congo investigation |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The head of United Nations operations in DR Congo has defended the UN against charges of a cover-up. | The head of United Nations operations in DR Congo has defended the UN against charges of a cover-up. |
The BBC has learned that the UN ignored or suppressed evidence that its troops in DR Congo gave arms to militias, and smuggled gold and ivory. | The BBC has learned that the UN ignored or suppressed evidence that its troops in DR Congo gave arms to militias, and smuggled gold and ivory. |
It heard allegations that inquiries were halted for political reasons. | It heard allegations that inquiries were halted for political reasons. |
But Alan Doss said that he had personally never experienced any political pressure to abort or adjust the findings of any investigation. | But Alan Doss said that he had personally never experienced any political pressure to abort or adjust the findings of any investigation. |
He also said the charges were not new. | He also said the charges were not new. |
Mr Doss acknowledged that some United Nations personnel had behaved inappropriately, but said this should not mean the countries that sent them were culpable. | Mr Doss acknowledged that some United Nations personnel had behaved inappropriately, but said this should not mean the countries that sent them were culpable. |
"I think it would be very unfair to smear whole countries and their contingents for irresponsible behaviour and sometimes illegal behaviour, I have to say, by a group of individuals or a few individuals," he said. | "I think it would be very unfair to smear whole countries and their contingents for irresponsible behaviour and sometimes illegal behaviour, I have to say, by a group of individuals or a few individuals," he said. |
The allegations, based on confidential UN sources, involve Pakistani and Indian troops working as peacekeepers. | The allegations, based on confidential UN sources, involve Pakistani and Indian troops working as peacekeepers. |
Gold and ivory | Gold and ivory |
The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monuc) is the global body's largest, with 17,000 troops spread across the country. | The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monuc) is the global body's largest, with 17,000 troops spread across the country. |
It's true they did, give us arms. They said it was for the security of the country 'Kung-fu'FNI leader Meeting Kung Fu and DragonSpotlight on India and PakistanDR Congo: Key Facts | It's true they did, give us arms. They said it was for the security of the country 'Kung-fu'FNI leader Meeting Kung Fu and DragonSpotlight on India and PakistanDR Congo: Key Facts |
The BBC's Martin Plaut, who returned to DR Congo to follow up his initial investigation into the allegations, says the force has managed to bring a measure of stability since it was first established by the UN in February 2000. | The BBC's Martin Plaut, who returned to DR Congo to follow up his initial investigation into the allegations, says the force has managed to bring a measure of stability since it was first established by the UN in February 2000. |
It has also helped disarm the warring factions, run democratic elections and assisted with reconstruction. | It has also helped disarm the warring factions, run democratic elections and assisted with reconstruction. |
But an 18-month BBC investigation for Panorama has found evidence that: | But an 18-month BBC investigation for Panorama has found evidence that: |
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Pakistani peacekeepers have helped train the army in DR Congo | Pakistani peacekeepers have helped train the army in DR Congo |
Two FNI leaders known as "Kung-fu" and "Dragon", who have been jailed in the capital, Kinshasa, have stated publicly that they received help from the UN. | |
The BBC managed to get into the maximum security jail and both confirmed this. | The BBC managed to get into the maximum security jail and both confirmed this. |
UN insiders close to the investigation told the BBC they had been prevented from pursuing their inquiries for political reasons. | UN insiders close to the investigation told the BBC they had been prevented from pursuing their inquiries for political reasons. |
'No evidence' | |
Our correspondent says that, in short, the Pakistanis, who are the largest troop contributors to the UN in the world, were too valuable to alienate. | |
Pakistan has said it has no means of influencing the UN and that there is no evidence that its troops were involved in an illegal gold trade or re-armed militia, describing the allegations as baseless. | Pakistan has said it has no means of influencing the UN and that there is no evidence that its troops were involved in an illegal gold trade or re-armed militia, describing the allegations as baseless. |
The Indian Army told Panorama that an investigation by the UN watchdog had revealed that all but one of the allegations were based on hearsay or had no credible evidence. | The Indian Army told Panorama that an investigation by the UN watchdog had revealed that all but one of the allegations were based on hearsay or had no credible evidence. |
And the head of the United Nations division responsible for investigating corruption and mis-management, Inga Britt Ahlenius, has also defended the UN against the charges. | |
She said reports she had commissioned which showed a picture of considerable disarray in the organisation - and which have been seen by the BBC - refer to difficulties which are now in the past, and that new managers are in place. | |
Panorama: Mission Impossible is on BBC One, 2030 BST on Monday 28 April 2008 | Panorama: Mission Impossible is on BBC One, 2030 BST on Monday 28 April 2008 |