– This is a major political blunder for Norway – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
New York Times (NYT) revealed on Sunday how two UN staff members are said to have lent more than $ 22 million to David Kendrick – a British businessman. The case is covered by NRK and a number of other media.
The money was to be used to help developing countries, but was defaulted on by Kendrick, according to his UN auditors.
This meant that former Minister of State Grete Faremo chose to step down from her position as top manager in UN agency UNOPS after 8 years in the executive chair.
To date, Faremo has not been willing to comment on the case or the allegations that have led to multi-million dollar default.
She has seen a letter she sent out to the staff of UNOPS.
– Do not know the whole thing
But on Wednesday afternoon she wrote the following in an SMS to NRK:
“I do not know the whole case, but it happened on my watch and I took responsibility by resigning from my position. Since I no longer rent UNOPS, it would be wrong of me to comment on the matter now. “
But even though Faremo is silent, the critics have not been long in coming. At the forefront are the doctor and the longtime UN diplomat Mukesh Kapila.
Via his blog, he has followed the investigation of UNOPS closely, and told NRK that the international community reacts strongly to the fact that 150 million kroner has apparently been raised.
He thinks that Grete Faremo’s sudden departure is embarrassing for Norway.
– Political nonsense
That it happens less than four years after former Minister of the Environment Erik Solheim had to resign as the UN’s environmental chief and deputy secretary general of the UN, made it all startling, says Kapila.
– Norway is a small country, and it is very unusual and a great honor to have two such high positions in such a short time. Then this happens. This is a major political blunder for Norway, says the British-Indian UN diplomat.
He emphasizes that the Norway he knows is committed to following the rules of the game on openness, respect and international cooperation.
– What has happened to the Norway we loved, he asks.
Solheim had to resign as leader of the UN environment program UNEP in 2018, after a very critical internal report.
Solheim, on the other hand, believes that it is the former US president, Donald Trump, who is the reason for his resignation as UN summit.
– For example. was pushed out of the Trump administration. For example, had the support of all other important member states. Others get judged on whether being pushed out of the UN by Trump gives Norway a bad reputation.
Erik Solheim writes this in a text message to NRK.
But UN diplomat Mukesh Kapila believes that both the Solheim departure and now Faremo are a scandal for Norway.
– Happened on my watch
Grete Faremo wrote a long letter to all UN agency staffers after the New York Times made its revelation.
Now Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt also confirms that she has been informed about the case, and that she has spoken with Grete Faremo about the ongoing investigation.
– We have full confidence that we will receive full information in this case. Grete Faremo has informed me about what has happened. This is not a suspicion directed at her, says Huitfeldt.
Gjevarland, like the USA and Finland, has in the meantime stopped the payments to parts of UNOPS while the investigation is ongoing. Norway has no plans to do the same.
– We have done it in other contexts, but not in this context.
– And there is no plan for that either now?
– No, there is no plan for that now, says the Foreign Minister.
Want UN reform
In recent years, Norway has strengthened its position in the UN system, not least with the country gaining a seat on the UN Security Council.
It happened after a long election campaign. The main focus for Norway was on how important it is to have openness and integrity in the UN work.
Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt believes that the storm surrounding Grete Faremo and UNOPS does not affect the outside world’s view of Norway at the UN.
– We are doing everything we can to contribute to a reform of the UN system. We must be sure that the money comes out well, says Huitfeldt.
– Shot for the bow
Tove Gravdal, journalist and author of the book “Til bords med dei mektige”, also thinks that the departure weakens Norway’s reputation, regardless of whether Faremo has done anything wrong.
– There is reason to believe that this will contribute to Norway’s reputation getting a shot in the arm, says Gravdal to NRK.
To Bistandsaktuelt she writes that this is embarrassing for Norway.
– Her sudden departure raises many questions. I do not want to pass judgment on her. It will be up to the scrutiny.
Grete Faremo has been informed that NRK mentions the critical remarks, but she does not wish to comment on the criticism that emerges in this case.
Ho calls for UNOPS and information department.
– No comment, write them in an e-mail to NRK.