Spot on Joe, particularly the point you make about how Rawat aligns himself with credible organisations in the hope that that will lend him some credibility.  I agree with Rawat, he sure needs credibility.

On the point you make about Bernama, from what I see this is a proper publication and I assume that they were simply fed with a press release and then published. Bernama is apparently the Malaysian national news agency.  This is their actual press release.

Judging from that press release, there does seem to have been an event organised by the United Nations of Malaysia (UNAM) and TPRF entitled 'peace is possible'. However it is not clear at all where that event was held, who was invited to it and how many people attended.  Judging from the UNAM website they do not normally hold such events, rather they typically organise a National Essay competition for Malaysian youth and other youth activities.  It is interesting that the UNAM website do not include details of the recent 'peace is possible' event so I'm very suspicious on what exactly happened and the origins of that event.  Looking at various other United Nation Associations websites it is most out of character for such associations to be associated with recognised cults.  Perhaps, as you suggest, there is a connection in some way with a premie and the UNAM.  Maybe a family member, relative or friend.  Who knows?

UNAM is part of the World Federation of United Nations Organisations, a loosely based organisation composed of over 100 independant orgs which aim to support the ideas of the United Nations.  The World Federation of United Nations Organisations are not however affiliated, financed or supported by the United Nations.

The United Nations website has a comprehensive and up to date database of press releases as well as ad-hoc comments made by Kofi Annan. I can't find the message that Kofi Annan apparentrly sent to the Malaysisn 'peace is possible' event anywhere on the United Nations website. In fact I can't find Prem Rawat mentioned anywhere on the UN website.  One would have thought that if Prem Rawat had spoken to the United Nations in Bangkok, and seeing that he is, apparently, such a well known global peace campaigner the UN would have done the decent thing and mentioned that 'fact'.

The danger that Maharaji faces in raising his profile in the way he has done over the past few days is that some investigative journalist could well pick up this story and start digging. It would only take them a few minutes to uncover the true history and controversial nature of Prem Rawat as depicted in the Prem-Rawat-Maharaji website and elsewhere.  It will be very interesting to see how Prem Rawat and TPRF copes if this happens.  I guess they will put out another press release, and on and on they will go.

Hilarious really.

T