UNITED NATIONS – U.N.
officials, including General Secretary Kofi Annan, are so afraid of a
new book detailing stories of U.N. incompetence in its peacekeeping
operations -- including sex stories and drug parties -- they have
threatened the authors with disciplinary action, including termination
if the book ever gets published.
Already, the book, "Emergency
Sex and Other Desperate Matters" (Miramax Books) by Kenneth Cain,
Heidi Postlewait and Andrew Thomson -- two current and one former
employee of the U.N.'s peacekeeping operations -- has provoked a storm
of controversy inside the world body.
Now two of the authors could
be out of job if U.N. censors have their way.
NewsMax first reported on the
scandal in its April 18, 2004 Insider Report. Since then, NewsMax has
obtained a copy of the publisher’s galleys.
The book is the personal
memoirs of the trio chronicling their ten years together working in
several U.N. peacekeeping operations, including operations in
Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, Liberia, Haiti and the former Yugoslavia.
“Emergency Sex” is the first
time such a book has been written from inside the U.N.'s peacekeeping
operations and by two employees who are currently serving in the world
body.
The book also may rank as one
of the most sensational exposes of U.N. business. While the book
focuses on U.N. peacekeeping operations and their problems -- some of
the vignettes about numerous, and supposedly true, stories of wild sex
and drug parties involving U.N. officials may be their real worry.
Though the book is written
and ready for press, U.N. officials, including those on General
Secretary Kofi Annan’s staff have been working overtime to stop the
book’s release, which is slated for June 1, 2004.
'Disciplinary Action'
NewsMax learned that on April
7, Postlewait and Thomson (the two current employees) were officially
informed by the U.N. that if their book is publicly released they risk
"disciplinary" action which could include termination.
United Nations’ rules
prohibits employees from writing about activities related to their
employment without approval. The authors never sought approval until
confronted by U.N. officials, and when they did, it was denied.
Now a line in the sand has
been drawn.
Miramax Books has said it is
still going forward with publication since it is “not bound" by any
obligations between the U.N. and the authors. Furthermore, U.N. press
spokesman Fred Eckhard told NewsMax the U.N. "has little recourse"
legally to stop Miramax.
However, Eckhard pointed out
the U.N. could and may act against the authors.
"It's a political decision,
but the authors have violated staff rules," he explained.
Another reason why the U.N.
is in a tizzy over “Emergency Sex” is that additional whistleblowers
are preparing tell-all books that could further tarnish the world
body’s image.
Eckhard acknowledged that
“two other books" may be in the works.
While the authors have not
officially responded to the U.N. warning, Miramax sources explain they
intend to put all three on a publicity tour to promote the upcoming
book.
Meanwhile, the controversy
over the book is reaching the highest levels at the U.N., and several
ambassadors in the Security Council have requested copies of the
"Emergency Sex” galleys to see what exactly the staffers are claiming.
The publication of the book
will not help the U.N.’s already faltering image, as the organization
is still reeling over allegations of massive embezzlements in its Iraq
Oil-for-Food Program.
Another Dave Schultz Web Site
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