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Price-tag of UN renovation soars to $1.9 billion
Really? That's all? Well somebody there obviously isn't doing their job...UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The price tag on a long-stalled renovation of the landmark United Nations headquarters has soared to $1.9 billion from the 2002 estimate of $1 billion, when the project was first envisioned, according to new figures released on Thursday. Long-stalled? At the UN? The U.N. General Assembly's budget committee called for the 192-nation body to adopt a draft resolution setting a budget of $1.878 billion for the project, which if approved would finally get off the ground next year. Yeah, sure. Is that all ya need? Sure that's all you need? The assembly is expected to approve the measure on Friday. ...and then...long weekend!!! The U.N. headquarters compound is one of New York's most popular tourist destinations. But after 54 years, its roof leaks, it is riddled with asbestos and lacks fire detectors, a sprinkler system and other emergency safety devices. I have no problem with any of this. The building's current "hazards, risks and deficiencies ... endanger the safety, health and well-being of staff, delegations, visitors and tourists," the draft text states. Yeah. "Visitors and tourists". Make sure that's in there. The United Nations has been working for six years on a plan to renovate the tower. The latest proposal has been scaled back and stretched out to avoid moving the whole organization into temporary headquarters while the work is carried out. Well, it hasn't fallen down yet. I might be willing to take a chance on waiting another 6 years. Or 60 years. Or 600 years. The money would be raised through increases in the dues paid by all U.N. member nations on a sliding scale. Governments would have a choice of paying their share all at once or in five yearly installments beginning in 2007, the draft says. That would put the poorest nations' share at a little under $2 million each. The United States, the world's biggest economy which picks up the tab for 22 percent of the regular U.N. budget, would pay over $400 million. 400 mill to renovate the pleasure palace of an inept, incompotent group of thieves. Such a deal! Much of the increase in project costs since 2002 is due to inflation in construction costs because of delays. Yeah...inflation! That's the ticket! Posted by: tu3031 2006-12-22 |
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