At UN, Sen. Boxer Criticizes Firing of Galbraith, Rates Congo 60% on Rapist Generals, No Goldstone

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, October 12 -- Senator Barbara Boxer of California, after meeting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, was asked on Monday morning by Inner City Press about Mr. Ban's firing of long time U.S. diplomat Peter Galbraith as the UN's deputy in Afghanistan, for alleging the UN is covering up pro-Karzai voting fraud. Video here, from Minute 4:10

"On Mr. Galbraith, t's a very sad day when someone is dismissed for telling the truth, that's how I feel about it," Senator Boxer replied. Video here, from Minute 6:18.

But did she bring up the firing to Ban Ki-moon during their meeting? Apparently not. When Inner City Press asked Sen. Boxer if she had raised to Ban the UN system's handling of the Goldstone report on Gaza, Boxer testily replied that she had come only on two topics: violence against women, which she said took up 75% of the meeting -- and "that you never asked any questions about" -- and climate change. Video here, from Minute 8:59.

In Sen. Boxer's read out of the violence against women portion of the meeting, she spoke of rapes in broad daylight then turned to an aide for the name of the country. Guinea -- Guinea Conakry.

Inner City Press asked Sen. Boxer about charges that the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo works with Congolese army units which are accused of rape. Sen. Boxer gave an answer that may be news: that of the "five generals," three have been relieved of duty, but two continue to serve. The reference is to five names that the UN gave to President Kabila. But is being relieved of duty enough? And is 60% a passing grade?

Sen. Boxer at UN, in the past, Galbraith, Guinea and Goldstone not shown

On climate change, Inner City Press asked Sen. Boxer to respond to chief U.S. negotiator Jonathan Pershing's statement that if the Congress hasn't passed legislation before the Copenhagen meeting, it will be very difficult for the U.S. to make any specific commitment at that meeting.

Boxer's response was that she does not agree that the U.S. is not making progress. She spoke about court decisions and actions of governors and mayors. But what about the Congress? What about the U.S.'s ability to make a commitment in Copenhagen? Watch this site.