Hi, All,
I'm not able to post much due to time constraints, so will probably do so not much more than once per day, usually at night. This is the synopsis that I gave the elder as mentioned in my original post on this thread. I'll post it first then answer your questions as best I can and then update you on the developments today afterwards.
Here is the synopsis:
36929 Row River Road
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
October 4, 2001
(The elders name)
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
Hello, there.
Two things have come up that are of such a nature that I wish to make sure that you are aware of them. I would not feel right if you were blind-sided by something that I’d withheld.
The first involves a few loose ends from our previous communications. (I'm omitting this as it is of rather a private nature.)
The second item involves Ciro Aulicino. It appears that he is at the very center of a firestorm that has come up in the past few weeks and is swiftly growing. You may know this already, but I figured it would be wise to mention it anyway.
It has become known that the WTBTS is enrolled in the United Nations as a NGO (Non-Government Agency). It’s all over the bulletin boards that are frequented by the Witnesses and ex-Witnesses, and is swiftly being circulated far beyond, so much so that it appears the United Nations themselves are beginning to take a strong and alarmed interest in it.
I’ll not try to repeat all of it, as I’ve only seen what’s happening on one site only and as that is about the size of a book already, I’ll restrict this to a brief thumbnail sketch of it. If you want more details (and there are plenty), the following Internet address will take you directly to it:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/help_smilies.asp?site=3
The following are excerpts from the first post on the thread. It’s an exceptionally well written, though lengthy piece, posing the question: What is the Society doing in an association with the UN? In fact, the writer, one “MacHislopp” doesn’t even pose the question up front, but thoroughly establishes the facts of the case first.
This is where he is quoting the UN’s own website verbatim:
http://www.un.org/MoreInfo/ngolink/brochure.htm)
I’m putting his personal comments in italics.
**to begin the question:
“What is an NGO?
“A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens' group which is organized on a local, national or international level. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring citizens' concerns to Governments, monitor policies and encourage political participation at the community level. They provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, the environment or health. Their relationship with offices and agencies of the United Nations System differs depending on their goals, their venue and their mandate."
Notice "…and encourage political participation at the community level "
More about:
"How do NGOs and DPI cooperate?
“The Department of Public Information and NGOs cooperate regularly. NGOs associated with DPI disseminate information about the UN to their membership, thereby building knowledge of and support for the Organization at the grassroots level.”
Notice: "...and support for the Organisation .." ( i.e. The United Nations, of course)
If you think it's not enough…take a look:
"In 1968, the Economic and Social Council, by Resolution 1297 (XLIV) of 27 May, called on DPI to associate NGOs, bearing in mind the letter and spirit of its Resolution 1296 (XLIV) of 23 May 1968, which stated that an NGO "...shall undertake to support the work of the United Nations and to promote knowledge of its principles and activities, in accordance with its own aims and purposes and the nature and scope of its competence and activities".
Again, "…shall undertake to support the work of the United Nations".
So every NGO has taken that kind of responsibility.
Furthermore , take a look at this:
"What are the Criteria for NGOs to become associated with DPI?"
“Organizations eligible for association with DPI are those which:
“Share the ideals of the UN Charter;
“Operate solely on a not-for-profit basis;
“Have a demonstrated interest in United Nations issues and proven ability to reach large or specialized audiences, such as educators, media representatives, policy makers and the business community;
“Have the commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes about UN activities by publishing newsletters, bulletins, and pamphlets; organizing conferences, seminars and round tables; and enlisting the cooperation of the media."
I do think that all these criteria are quite clear.
To add more:
"What are the responsibilities of NGOs associated with DPI?"
“Since the founding days of the United Nations in San Francisco, NGOs have made valuable contributions to the international community by drawing attention to issues, suggesting ideas and programmes, disseminating information and mobilizing public opinion in support of the UN and its Specialized Agencies. Association with DPI constitutes a commitment to that effect. Associated NGOs are expected to devote a portion of their information programmes to promoting knowledge of the United Nations' principles and activities."
I hope that you also notice: " …mobilizing public opinion in support of the UN and its Specializes Agencies.."!
MacHislopp now shows an actual extract of the NGO membership as taken off the U. N.’s web site. There in big letters in the “W” section is “Watchtower Bible & Tract Society”. Many people have been calling the U.N. for more details. It’s been established that such a “partnership” (the U.N.’s word) would need to be requested by an organization and that such a “partnership” was requested by and granted to the WTBTS in 1991.
Since then according to other portions of the U.N. site, at least one of the Society’s branches (India) has requested and received funds (Apparently I was mistaken here. When I went back and checked it later it looked like it was taken from an Indian newspaper.), so this should effectively rule out any possibility that one of the Society’s enemies enrolled their name in an attempt to embarrass the Organization. (If it checks out, the conclusion would be the same.)
I might add that the express purpose for any organization receiving funds from the U.N. is to promote the purposes of the U.N.
I think you are as well aware as I am as to the Society’s scathing attitude toward the U.N., so I won’t bother repeating the rest of his post. It consisted of a lengthy list of the Society’s quotes, citing chapter and verse for every one of them.
He finishes by asking some very pointed questions.
The last I checked, there were 20 pages of comments and further investigation on this one thread. I would guess that each page could contain the majority of the material in one 32 page Watchtower, though that is only an estimate. There were over 16,000 “hits” (times that people brought it up on the screen to read) on that thread, so you can judge for yourself whether or not it is being noticed. And that’s on only one Internet site!
Now, here is the interesting part. These same quotes from the Society’s publication have been sent to the U.N. They have expressed deep concern, and are currently checking into it.
The following should demonstrate just how much. It is a post on about page 13 or 14 posted by one “Hawkaw”, who has been enthusiastic in investigating this matter:
“Hi Troubled and others,
“I telephoned Ms. I. Oca at the UN's DPI (11:15am Oct 3, 2001). I have her at another telephone number today 1-212-963-8305.
“Here is the latest.
“She indicated that the "Critera" has likely changed since 1991. However, the two most important critera to the WTS - supporting and respecting UN charter and commitment to effective information programes about the UN - have not changed since 1991 and no matter what, they have to meet today's Criteria if they want to be an "associate" of the DPI. Also the WTS had to solicit the UN and not the other way around.
“She also indicated that the application form may have changed slightly but was still about the same and the WTS had to include at least 4 references as is required today.
“Finally she indicated that, the NGO in question, the Watchtower, is under a DPI/UN investigation as we speak. This is major news folks. This means the DPI had a meeting and now the UN has decided to investigate. (His bolding throughout.)
“She indicated that the United Nations is reviewing the "NGO's" (Watchtower's) status. Since the NGO's status is under review, no further information (ie. the application form) will be given out at this time according to Ms. Oca.
“This is what I expected but as she indicated to me they, the DPI will have to release something on the conclusion of their investigation. This would be huge and would help get it into the press.
“The DPI is very concerned about this. I wonder if it is clicking in their heads that they were "snookered".
“Once the investigation is completed the NGO/DPI office will report their findings on the UN's internet site according to Ms. Oca.
“It looks like we had some affect folks. She also indicated that they have been inundated with information from a number of concerned people.
“I say - send more stuff to the United Nations DPI if you have forgotten anything or if you have not sent it yet. Tallyman should send one of his scarey WT pictures - that one of the city getting smoked would be a hoot - picture is worth a thousand words.
“By the sounds of this, this is a big time incident in their office.
“I forgot to ask about the press involvement - rats.
“Maybe you can ask about the press, "Troubled", seeing my long distance bill is through the roof.
“Hawk
“p.s. - anyone who Emailed the UNs DPI should have gotten an Email back saying they received your Email and are taking your Email into consideration with this NGO. That's code for we are investigating the occurrence.”
The reason that Ciro Aulicino is involved is that he is listed in the U.N. records as the Society’s liaison to the U.N. This morning a U.N. official telephoned “Hawkaw” to let him know that the WTBTS just made a formal request to be removed from the U.N.’s role of NGO’s.
It would appear to me that this is becoming such an embarrassment to the Society that about the only way out is to find a “scapegoat” somewhere. Ciro would seem to be the most likely candidate.
The almost universal reaction across the board has been one of surprise and shock, even from the so-called “apostates”. There is some anger thrown in, though I really expect that to come later. Right now the silence coming from the Society is deafening. Some have called in to Brooklyn to try to find an explanation, only to find that the brothers answering the phones were flabbergasted when they drew the U.N. pages up on their own computers. The official line being given out right now is that “they are looking into it.”
I don’t need to tell you what that looks like.
There has got to be some rationale for the Society’s membership. I would be interested in it for my and my family’s sakes, as well as possibly posting it on the web site for the edification of all.
Finally, according to my own sources, there is already some concern within the DPI about the NGO’s misapplication of funds. Part of that apparently stems from the “social workers” in Afghanistan being thrown in jail for preaching Christianity, and thereby throwing yet another problem in the U.N.’s lap. I think they will look at the Society’s activities under a microscope.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Tom Howell
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I'll make a few more comments in a few minutes.
LoneWolf
