Marshalls Voids Nomination Of al-Sayyed MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, Feb. 14, 2014) — The Marshall Islands on Wednesday rescinded a controversial nomination to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization of a former Lebanese security chief who is a suspect in the assassination of Lebanese ex-Premier Rafik Hariri in 2006. The appointment of former Maj. General Jamil al-Sayyed to represent the Marshall Islands to UNESCO was formally withdrawn on Wednesday, according to acting President Tony deBrum. Government officials in Majuro initially expressed surprise Wednesday and said they had no knowledge about the nomination of al-Sayyed. As officials learned Wednesday that the nomination of al-Sayyed had been officially transmitted to UNESCO—apparently in December—they moved quickly to cancel it. DeBrum said he talked with President Christopher Loeak and Foreign Minister Phillip Muller who are en route to Japan, and a letter rescinding the nomination of al-Sayyed was prepared and signed by Muller who had signed the original letter nominating al-Sayyed in December. Muller did not respond to a request for comment. Officials in Majuro said they were unable to locate the original nomination letter that Muller signed in December. Muller signed another letter Wednesday to UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova cancelling the nomination for al-Sayyed effective immediately. DeBrum said the initial contact for the nomination of al-Sayyed was made with Marshall Islands leaders during a visit to Palau at the end of September. A follow up visit to Majuro by a representative of al-Sayyed in December resulted in the nomination letter being signed. International news reports are saying that the Marshall Islands nomination would give al-Sayyed diplomatic immunity allowing him to avoid possible prosecution from the United Nations-supported Special Tribunal for Lebanon that has already begun prosecuting others involved in the Hariri assassination. Al-Sayyed was arrested following the 2006 bomb attack that killed Hariri and 22 other people in Beirut, and was held for four years until investigators determined they could not develop adequate evidence to prosecute him. A UNESCO official at the agency’s Paris headquarters confirmed receiving the earlier nomination letter. Sue Williams, a spokeswoman for UNESCO told AFP: “I can confirm that the government of the Marshall Islands sent us a letter indicating that this person would represent it.” That nomination has now been voided, according to deBrum. The letter voiding the nomination was transmitted to UNESCO by Marshall Islands Ambassador to the United Nations Amatlain Kabua on Wednesday. “We are putting out this information to assure people that we are being open and frank about what we know,” deBrum said. DeBrum said he anticipated repercussions concerning the nomination, in part because the Marshall Islands has been in the eye of the world’s media the past two weeks over the arrival of El Salvadoran fisherman Jose Salvador Alvarenga, who spent over 13 months drifting from Mexico. The cabinet is responsible for approving all appointments and nominations for Marshall Islands representation overseas. Officials in Majuro say that the nomination of al-Sayyed did not follow the usual procedure and offices such as the attorney general, the cabinet and the Ministry of Finance had no documentation or knowledge of the nomination.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 09:06:36 +0000