Article

2005-01-06 International-UN-NGOs

As if it didn't have enough to worry about, the United Nations now is under attack from New York officials who threaten to stop a necessary refurbishment and expansion of the complex on the East River. These officials should stop pounding their chests before they ~~make Kofi cry~~ hurt themselves and the city.
Trust me, it gets better...
At issue is the United Nations' plan to build a 35-story building on a neighboring one-acre public space called Robert Moses Playground.
I guess there's too much green space in downtown NY?
Diplomats and staff would move to the new building while the landmark Secretariat tower is cleaned of dangerous ~~terrorist apologists~~ asbestos and gets security and other upgrades. When that's done, the new building would become office space for workers who are scattered in other buildings, including two that the cash-starved city would be able to sell for perhaps $200 million.
Sure....
To replace the park, the United Nations would build an esplanade park along the river for public use.
Right after they finish the remodeling projects in Gaza....
The plan could be sweetened.
No sh-t, Sherlock!!
U.N. officials should consider opening up ~~their books for public inspection~~ some of the organization's green acres for public use. But that's not what blocked the plan last month in the State Senate. The majority leader, Joseph Bruno, reportedly took issue with diplomats' unpaid parking fines. Legislators also expressed anger over anti-Israel votes in the General Assembly and the oil-for-food scandal. Some members of the City Council joined in.
Such tiny, little piddling details....
The failings of the United Nations, large and small, don't make a case for threatening action tantamount to an eviction notice. For all their disagreements and unhappiness with the United Nations, the Bush administration proposed and Congress approved a $1.2 billion loan for the construction. The symbiotic relationship between the city and the world body has been a good one. New York receives an economic boost of some $2.5 billion a year.
Prove it, pal....we want details.
~~Third-world wankers~~ ~~Clowns who can't get a real job in their home countries~~ Diplomats get to live and work in a place as diverse as their ranks, unmatched as a world center of business, media, culture and learning.
Gee, what did NYC do before the UN came to town? It must have been a complete cultural wasteland....
As global institutions go, the United Nations remains ~~the most incompetent~~ without peer, and as such, it should be nowhere but in New York. The ~~groveling apologists~~ obstructionists need to get out of the way.

Posted by Desert Blondie 2005-01-06 1:46:09 PM|| || Front Page|| [11132 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The majority leader, Joseph Bruno, reportedly took issue with diplomatsâ unpaid parking fines.

(Might not want this line directly after the paragraph describing the city as "cash-starved" - ed.)

Posted by BH 2005-01-06 2:51:49 PM|| 2005-01-06 2:51:49 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Oh, boy! Robert Moses Playground! The Montgomery Burns of New York City! The Times must be salivating to wipe out something with his name on it.

Posted by tu3031 2005-01-06 3:19:30 PM|| 2005-01-06 3:19:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 1. thats midtown, not downtown. Though Id really like the idea of having UN workers downtown. Like in the World Financial Center. Think about it.

2. The UN open space used to be open to the public, but was closed when somebody tried to take a bomb in their - this was like 20 years ago I think. It was a great space, with a great view of the East River.

3. Note please that most member of the New York City Council are DEMOCRATS, as is Bruno. Good for them.

Posted by Liberalhawk 2005-01-06 3:24:07 PM|| 2005-01-06 3:24:07 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 symbiotic relationship

hmmmm..... maybe they mean parasitic.

Posted by Shipman 2005-01-06 4:37:03 PM|| 2005-01-06 4:37:03 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Note please that most member of the New York City Council are DEMOCRATS, as is Bruno. Good for them.

Yes - when it's 'their' money (or lack of) involved, they can play hardball :p

Posted by Pappy 2005-01-06 8:18:54 PM|| 2005-01-06 8:18:54 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 To replace the park, the United Nations would build an esplanade park along the river for public use

Guess who'd be paying for that? Yep. Uncle Sucker

Posted by Frank G 2005-01-06 8:25:38 PM|| 2005-01-06 8:25:38 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Here's the perfect spot for the new UN headquarters. It's partially complete and will have 3.9 million sq. ft. of floor space. Kofi can have a spacious private office with a great view on the 105^th floor. There's even space for a private office for Hans Brix.

Posted by AJackson 2005-01-06 8:35:25 PM|| 2005-01-06 8:35:25 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 OK, I agree, but where's the Eye of Sauron?

Posted by Frank G 2005-01-06 9:02:50 PM|| 2005-01-06 9:02:50 PM|| Front Page Top

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