UNITED NATIONS (AP) - A Scotland Yard counterterrorism expert was named Thursday to a new post overseeing security and protection for U.N. staffers in 150 countries from Iraq and Afghanistan to Congo and Kosovo. The appointment of David Veness culminated a lengthy search to fill the role as the world organization's security operations head following a highly critical report that blamed ``dysfunctional'' U.N. security for unnecessary casualties in the Aug. 19, 2003 bombing at the world body's headquarters in Iraq.
Veness will leave his job as assistant commissioner at London's Scotland Yard in charge of protection, terrorism, security and organized crime to become the U.N.'s first undersecretary-general for safety and security on Feb. 28. ``It's probably the biggest security challenge in the world,'' Veness said. ``This is a formidable responsibility, and if you take yourself seriously as a professional then you ought to think about standing up to the plate.''
Veness' new department will combine operations that dealt with U.N. headquarters, overseas operations, and U.N. peacekeeping missions. He will have a bigger staff: Last year the U.N. General Assembly added $53.6 million to the security budget, boosting the number of security posts in New York from 31 to 122, and in the field from 129 to 250.
Veness told a news conference that creating the department ``is an exciting, a timely and extremely welcome initiative.'' Veness said his team must face ``the grim reality'' that U.N. humanitarian operations and other activities can be targeted by ``extremist terrorist or other violent threats.'' He said he sees the critical part of his job as advising the United Nations on how to do its important tasks while ensuring adequate protection for U.N. staff.
The Cambridge graduate joined the Metropolitan Police in 1964 as a cadet and rose through the ranks. He has extensive experience in protecting Britain's royal family and diplomats. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him last year. |