DEPUTY-SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES NEW YORK CITY’S MAYOR FOR ‘NEW ERA’ IN RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UN AND ‘THIS GREAT WORLD CAPITAL’

DEPUTY-SECRETARY-GENERAL PRAISES NEW YORK CITY’S MAYOR FOR ‘NEW ERA’

IN RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UN AND ‘THIS GREAT WORLD CAPITAL’

Following are the remarks of Deputy-Secretary-General Louise Fréchette to the reception “To Celebrate the United Nations in New York”, hosted by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on 12 March:

It is a great pleasure to be here tonight.

The Secretary-General deeply regrets his inability to come, and sends his best wishes to everyone.  As you know, he returned today from an exhausting trip to Europe, during which he spent almost all of Monday night trying to resolve the Cyprus problem.  Mr. Mayor, I understand that you, too, spent Monday night deep in negotiation –- in a successful effort to end the dispute between Broadway producers and musicians.  Mr. Mayor, there may indeed be a role for you at the United Nations when you finish your current job!

In all seriousness, I would like to thank you, Mayor Bloomberg, on behalf of the Secretary-General and the diplomatic corps, for opening Gracie Mansion to the United Nations community.  Your strong support has ushered in a new era in the relationship between the world Organization and this great world capital.

The change is not only atmospheric.  In little more than a year, we have made progress on a number of important practical matters, including the long-overdue rehabilitation of the Headquarters complex and the perennial parking question.  We have also established good working ties with Commissioner Tiven, who -– like yourself, Mr. Mayor -– has proved herself a true friend of the United Nations.

These are difficult times for us both.

New York City faces budgetary constraints, and is still coping with the fallout from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, while the Security Council faces a grave decision on Iraq –- and that is only one of the many urgent issues the United Nations is addressing, from poverty, AIDS and climate change to armed conflict and intolerance –- issues that are of concern to every New Yorker.

But this city, as ever, remains indomitable, and I know the United Nations will continue to draw strength from New York’s diversity and dynamism.  Thank you again, Mr. Mayor, for all you are doing to help us serve the world.  And thank you all.

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