I'm sure Tim got a lot of heat for his article on FrumForum yesterday, showing how Rights and Democracy could have been involved in shady money transfers to organizations and projects of dubious repute.
Now it turns out they have an empty office in Geneva which is registered under a separate NGO (as per Swiss law). The organizational chart is as detached from Montreal's R&D one as South America is from Africa. The late R&D President prevented meetings between Montreal staff and the Geneva office.
The staff member at the Geneva office (homonimy permitting) used to be involved with Alternatives, a left-leaning organization and a founding member of the AlterInter network. They describe themselves as the worst kind of lefty get-together:
We are social and political movements struggling against neoliberalism, imperialism, social injustice and war. We are building solidarity between social movements at the local, national and international level. Our approach is both concrete (action-oriented) and intellectual (creating new paradigms). (link)
In her own words, she described her organization as such:
"We were among the first to be against globalization," says ********. "And against the Iraq war. We coordinated the Réseau québécois sur l'integration continentale, a network that regroups the majority of the NGOs of Quebec. We work with the unions, social and community groups. We have are a very important voice in Quebec."
Her association with Alternatives ended in October 2008.
New questions arise:
The name of the Geneva staffer is easily accessible, so why is she working in an empty and invisible office and living in an expensive accommodation across the border in France?
With all due respect, association with such radicals should disqualify a candidate from effectively working on the Government's payroll pushing an agenda. Why was this choice made? By whom?
How accountable is the Geneva office to Montreal's HQ?
Was the Government aware of this? If so, why was no action taken?
If just rent (pretended) and accommodation were paid, wouldn't that show nothing was being done? No expenses, no bills, no travel, nada?
Where did the Geneva office money go?
10 comments:
Um, they shut the office a year or so ago when they cut ties to the UN High Commission on Human Rights.
Frum should be embarrassed to have this fool writing for him.
I get the argument that some provide that the government should not be funding aid organizations and we should just keep all our money to ourselves and not try to help anyone. Argue that one if you want and you won't hear anything from me.
But this is all part of a big smear campaign by wingnuts trying to discredit a reputable organization that does good work because it gave a measily $10,000 to some groups that are critical of Israel, including an Israel based Jewish group.
There is a very disreputable witchhunt underway that is giving Canada a black eye. The more these fools are supported in their smears, the worse it will be for Harper when all of the truth comes out. He tried to do his dirty work under the radar and away from the public eye. Well, the public is watching now, Mr. Harper. How are you going to clean up your mess?
You would do well to walk away, far away from this one Luca. Observe and report if you feel you must, but you will not look too good if you are basing any opinion on the likes of Mak.
Nice work Luca. When you look at non-profits, charities and NGO's if you dig deep enough you will of course find ties to socialists and even deeper communists. We must be vigilant and call them out. (real conservative)
Alternatives is the group that funnels our tax dollars to Rabble.ca.
Good job.
Stan
Ted, first of all I am flattered you take the time to read (I hope) my blog and write detailed comments.
If you think we should not help anyone you're exactly WRONG. It's just that people should be able to choose whom their money goes to. And should be encouraged to give more and more.
Now, if the Geneva office is shut, why is the staff member still listed by R&D as responsible for the Europe office?
R&D cut ties with one of the most important and influential UN organizations in the field. This makes no sense. Who decided to dump the partner?
This could be an embarrassment to the Government if it does indeed turn out they knew what was going on and kept it under cover. I'd be the first one to pounce on that.
You might be concerned about what others think of you. I only care to be known as honest, opinionated and open to criticism and corrections. I let no-one form my opinions. Which is why I don't think anything of this quagmire. I am just asking questions.
Encouraging someone to walk away from asking questions is sinister. I'll leave it at that.
"this one" as in Mak, Luca. Walk away from him as he seems to be your only point of reference so far on this.
He's not being honest and his arguments have been easily and quickly shown to be unfounded.
Thanks for the clarification.
I am sure Tim has the facts and elements he needs in this case. I've been reading around the issue too. Plus, without sufficient proof of truthfulness FF wouldn't step into this minefield.
"Plus, without sufficient proof of truthfulness FF wouldn't step into this minefield.
"
Except that it has. Big Time truthiness.
More on Mak's level of "sufficient proof".
Betts: Please check your sources.
"They shut the office a year or so ago when they cut ties to the UN High Commission on Human Rights."
The office is still being rented, is still there, is still listed on the Rights and Democracy website, along with address:
http://www.dd-rd.ca/site/who_we_are/index.php?subsection=geneva_office
R&D's relationship with the UNHCHR ended last year. And yet the Geneva office is still open. What for? Why continue throwing taxpayer dollars down the well?
As for the Maclean's piece that Paul Wells has written, look forward to an extensive rebuttal coming soon.
Mak/Inspector Clousseau: Check your own sources, bud.
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