Lessons learned from Argentina’s turn from dictatorship to democracy should be applied widely, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East, and UNSG Ban Ki-Moon called on Syria to allow humanitarian aid into areas affected by ongoing violence. After visiting the memorial in Buenos Aires to thousands of Argentines tortured and killed during that country’s “dirty war” between 1976 and 1983, Mr. Ban said: “This is the darkest era of Argentina. At the same time, let us send a strong message of hope to many people around the world whose human rights are still being abused and oppressed and let us learn the lessons from here.” (From UN News Centre) Assad Not Returning Ban’s Telephone Call? Singling out Syria, the Secretary-General said that “the situation is very worrisome. This struggle has spread beyond any single square, any village or town. It has spread all throughout the country. The Government has responded with horrific attacks… “I once again urge President [Bashar Al-] Assad of Syria to allow humanitarian access to affected areas and to allow the Human Rights Council-mandated assessment mission.” The speech was the third time that Mr. Ban publicly called for humanitarian access to Syria. Last week a spokesperson confirmed that the Secretary-General’s attempt to telephone President Assad to discuss the latest developments had been unsuccessful. “What we have seen during the last several months in the Arab world is that the leaders are coming with too little and too late,” the Secretary-General said. Just as the fall of the Berlin Wall transformed Eastern Europe, so is revolution now sweeping the Arab world,” he added, calling on the region’s leaders to take “bold action before is too late.” Argentina’s Turnaround Complimenting Argentina for its struggle to protect human rights, Mr. Ban said: “Argentina today is dedicated to truth, the truth about what happened here decades ago. The truth about who gave the orders, who carried out the crimes, and who knew about these crimes. You have shown that there can be no safe refuge for those who commit crimes against humanity. In this world, there is no safe place now for any perpetrators who violate international human rights laws and international humanitarian laws. They must be held responsible; they must be brought to justice. This has been a fundamental principle and my strong commitment as Secretary-General of the United Nations.” Argentina as UN Provider Mr. Ban is on a week-long visit to Latin America, with stops in Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.Ban also visited Argentina’s joint training centre for peacekeeping operations, and met with a contingent of troops preparing to deploy to the UN mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). He also unveiled a sculpture created in honour of Hédi Annabi, the head of MINUSTAH who was killed in last year’s earthquake. “White Helmets” The Secretary-General also met with representatives of civil society and with so-called “white helmets,” or professionals who have volunteered to participate in a humanitarian mission to Libya. (PHOTOS ABOVE - Secretary-General Hears Mother of Argentinean "Desparecido" Tell Story A woman shares her testimony about her son, one of the victims known as “desaparecidos” (disappeared) of the military government that ruled Argentina through the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, during a visit by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Center for the Promotion of Human Rights, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Center was formerly the notorious government detention centre, Escuela Superior de Mecánica de la Armada (ESMA). Bottom Photo- UNSG Ban Ki-moon with President Kristina Fernandez de Kirchner at Casa Rosada). Related Reports at diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice ---(ARGENTINA ECOLOGY FILM REPORT)- “Argentina River” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/argentina-river/27194 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow at DiplomaticallyX