 UN gets OK for $1.9B renovation
The UN General Assembly has finally given a green light to start a $1.9 billion renovation of the world body's landmark headquarters after years of delays. The 39-story East Side glass-and-steel building has not seen a major overhaul in its 54-year existence, and now violates safety and fire codes.
Stressing its "serious concern at the hazards, risks and deficiencies of the current conditions of the building, which endanger the safety, health and well-being of staff, delegations, visitors and tourists," the assembly late Friday night approved the budget committee's plan to refurbish the building.
The Capital Master Plan will allow preparatory work on the phased renovation to begin immediately. The work is to be completed by 2014 at a total budget of $1.88 billion.| It will triple, at least, by 2014. |
Member states will have the option of paying their shares in yearly installments or in one lump sum, but the resolution also asks incoming UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who takes over from Kofi Annan on Jan. 1, to explore the possibility of private donor funding.| Get Ted Turner to cover it. He's not doing anything useful. |
The U.S. will pay 22% of the cost - the largest share - which Congress must approve.| Mebbe yes, mebbe no. If we didn't have the Dhimmis in Charge now, it'd be a close call... |
On another matter, the UN Security Council yesterday condemned attacks on journalists during armed conflicts and urged combatants to stop singling out members of the media and respect their independence.| Yah shure. Hey! Don't shoot the scribblers, K? Lunch! |
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