U.N. envoy leaving Crimea after being accosted
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Version 0 of 1. Updated, 3:17 p.m. Robert Serry, the United Nations special envoy to Ukraine, is leaving Ukraine’s Crimea region after confrontations in Simferopol. The U.N. said he “will shortly return to Kiev.” James Mates, the Europe editor for ITV, was with Serry when the confrontations occurred and reports on Twitter that Serry was on his way to Istanbul. Serry, the Netherlands’ first ambassador to Ukraine, was threatened by armed men at a cafe and told to leave the region on Wednesday. Here’s the view from Mates: UN special advisor Robert Serry had been visiting navy commander when his car was blocked. Stand off followed #Ukraine — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014 UN special advisor Robert Serry had been visiting navy commander when his car was blocked. Stand off followed #Ukraine — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014
He refused to go with men blocking car, got out and walked until he found coffee shop. He’s asked ITV News team to stay with him. #Ukraine — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014 He refused to go with men blocking car, got out and walked until he found coffee shop. He’s asked ITV News team to stay with him. #Ukraine — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014
UN special envoy Robert Serry’s assistant says she saw at least one man with a gun among group who blocked his car. #Ukraine — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014 UN special envoy Robert Serry’s assistant says she saw at least one man with a gun among group who blocked his car. #Ukraine — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014
Outside coffee shop are men in combat fatigues blocking the door. Some wear pro Russia black and gold arm band. Not allowing anyone in/out — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014 Outside coffee shop are men in combat fatigues blocking the door. Some wear pro Russia black and gold arm band. Not allowing anyone in/out — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014
UN special envoy Robert Serry with me in coffee shop. Outside local militia block the door. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/pbotNqCG3i — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014 UN special envoy Robert Serry with me in coffee shop. Outside local militia block the door. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/pbotNqCG3i — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014
Robert Serry has now agreed to go straight to the airport and end his mission in #Crimea — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014 Robert Serry has now agreed to go straight to the airport and end his mission in #Crimea — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014
Crowd chant Russia Russia as UN envoy leaves coffee shop and scrambles into waiting car#Crimea — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014 Crowd chant Russia Russia as UN envoy leaves coffee shop and scrambles into waiting car#Crimea — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014
Path of envoy’s car blocked by protesters chanting Putin Putin. #Crimea — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014 Path of envoy’s car blocked by protesters chanting Putin Putin. #Crimea — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014
Robert Serry finally on his way to the airport, police having forced a way through an angry crowd. #crimea — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014 Robert Serry finally on his way to the airport, police having forced a way through an angry crowd. #crimea — James Mates (@jamesmatesitv) March 5, 2014
Earlier, U.N. Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson told reporters by telephone from Kiev. Eliasson said the group of 10 to 15 men blocked the Dutch diplomat’s car and ordered him to go to the airport and leave Crimea immediately. “He refused,” Eliasson said, and left the vehicle on foot to walk back to his hotel. Eliasson called the incident “very regrettable” but said Serry is “in good shape physically” and was “not kidnapped.” He said Serry’s fact-finding mission in Crimea is now being reassessed and that a decision will be made on whether to withdraw him to Kiev. Read more: Diplomatic efforts are underway; Kerry to meet Russian counterpart A guide to pronouncing Crimea How Ukraine got where it is today, in 486 words On Ukraine, some Russian claims veer from the truth |