unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/19/89)
STAFF DAY MARKED AT UN HEADQUARTERS
Posting Date: 09/18/89 Source: UNITEX Network, Hoboken, NJ, USA
Host: (201) 795-0733 ISSN: 1043-7932
The increasing dangers faced by United Nations staff members
were underscored in addresses made by Secretary-General Javier
Perez de Cuellar and by Lowell Flanders, the President of the
Staff Committee, at a ceremony held this morning to mark the
beginning of Staff Day 1989.
In his statement to United Nations Secretariat staff, the
Secretary-General focused on the need to ensure the safety and
security of Organization personnel and on measures being taken
to rectify existing anomalies in conditions of service for
Professional and General Service staff.
He said "it is intolerable to me that some of our colleagues
remain under arrest or detention or, far worse, have died in
captivity". He then recalled "with deep sorrow" Lt. Col.
William Higgins, "our dear former colleague", and stated his
intention to do everything in his power to resolve all instances
of injustice to staff members.
Mr. Flanders told staff members that over the years more than 700
persons had lost their lives in the course of United Nations
operations. Other staff such as Alec Colett were still missing
after being kidnapped, he added. "It is becoming increasingly
dangerous to be a United Nations staff member", he added. He
called on staff members to join in a rally on Tuesday,
19September, in front of the Secretariat building to demand
universal respect for the rights of international civil
servants.
The Secretary-General presented engraved silver plates to Joseph
Davis, Raymond East and Edward Morris for having each served the
United Nations for 35 years. Mr. Davis and Mr. Morris were not
present to receive their awards because they were serving in
Namibia with the United Nations Transition Assistance Group
(UNTAG).
Certificate of Merit Awards were presented by the
Secretary-General to four staff members selected by the Staff
Incentive Award Committee for their cost-saving and time-saving
ideas. Recipients were Afework Alemu, Julius Pfeuffer, Kenneth
N. Eastman and Jaime Rojas, all with the Office of General
Services. George Mazzolini of the Conference Services Division
in Geneva would receive his award after his return from
Namibia.
Paula Kacher, the author of this year's Staff Day t-shirt slogan,
"United Nations: Solving the puzzle peace by peace", received
an award from the Secretary-General. Ms. Kacher is a staff
member of the English Translation Section of the Department of
Conference Services.
Staff Day 1989 began with a flag ceremony held earlier this
morning at the Secretariat Building fountain. Also scheduled
for the day are a showings of the film "Rainman" at 11:15 a.m.
and 2 p.m. in the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium, a staff
talent show from 1 to 3 p.m. in the General Assembly Hall with
guest performances by the Mighty Sparrow and the Rockland County
Children's Choir, and an international fashion show at 6 p.m. in
the General Assembly Hall.
A jazz concert has been scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Dag
Hammarskjold Library Auditorium, and a Staff Day Ball will be
held in the Public Lobby from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Performing at
the Ball will be Calypso vocalist the Mighty Sparrow; Love,
Warmth and Affection, a Salsa band; Tabou Combo, a Haitian band;
and BQE, an acappella doo-wop group. At 7 p.m., a mardi gras
programme will take place in the Viennese Cafe Area, including
performances by the Original Capris, Roots of Brazil, Daniella
and Eranga Duo.
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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