Blocks after blocks of roads, maybe about 10 of them near the First Avenue where the UN Headquarters is located are closed to traffic. And that's not all to it. Hundreds of the elite NYC police are either on the streets, the air or atop buildings with sharp looks. Oh, not to forget are hundreds of secret service agents too who are in tandem with either NYC police or the UN security forces who are on guard around the UN.
One cannot mistakenly miss the secret service agents. They wear suits that bear button pins on their chest. They also sport earpieces that are coiled inside their vestments. These robot-like and programmed human beings literally litter the streets leading to the venues where heads of states are billeted like the Waldorf Astoria at Lexington Avenue. This premier hotel has had about six police and secret service agents for every 10 feet, I would say. Good thing that they do not show off with the armor, machine guns and all.
With a lot of roads closed to traffic, I had to take a walk (like the usual) again to the UN building, all the way from the Philippine Center at Fifth Avenue (which is a good seven blocks away, including Lexington and Madison Avenues).
Good thing I got to UN building on time, just in time for the farewell address of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan which pictured a not-so-good scenario of unjust world economy, global disorder and a continuing disregard for human rights. The speech, however, did not end that way as he also appealed for the world peoples to unite.
Annan, whose second five-year term ends on December 31, said the past decade had seen progress in development, security and the rule of law - the three great challenges he said humanity faced in his first address to the General Assembly in 1997.
I also did catch the address of US President George W. Bush who served as the second speaker (after the Brazilian president) which, as predicted was a showdown or a verbal tussle with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over nuclear weapons. The Iranian president, however, was not in the hall during Bush's address.
Bush pressed Iran to return at once to international talks on its nuclear program and threatened consequences if they do not.
Bush's speech was less confrontational on that subject. He said Iran "must abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions," and return at once to international talks on its program. The US has threatened sanctions if Iran does not suspend uranium enrichment.
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The 61st UNGA was not only a gathering of world leaders. It was also a coming together of journalists from around the world who covered the once a year event. At the third floor of the UNGA building, reporters converged: listened to speeches in various translations; picked press releases from rows after rows of press releases (it's the biggest stack of press releases I have ever seen in my journalistic career); and shared some stories too. There is no free lunch for media at the UN. No easy facilitations too, unlike what we have practiced in the Philippines. One has to clear with mission officials from countries concerned if a certain event is open to media. Lunch at the UN Building can cost you from 5 to 10 bucks. Converting it to peso served me no good, unless I want my body to deteriorate. So I ate with gusto. Saka na ang kumbersyon.
There are few computers although that are available for media use, but Internet access is limited to 30 minutes. If one has a laptop, then it's fine because wireless signals abound in and around the building.
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With the Philippines, through Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, still to make its statement before the General Assembly on Thursday, Philippine time, the country is already reaping some honors.
Ambassador Lauro L. Baja Jr., permanent representative of the Philippines to the UN, presided over the High Level Dialogue of the 61st UN General Assembly on the agenda item Migration for Development at the UN Headquarters last Sep. 13, 2006. Ambassador Baja is the first vice president of the 61st UN General Assembly to be given such honor.
The Philippines is among the 12 "core countries" that pushed for the establishment of a Global Forum of States on Migration and Development.
The Philippines was represented in the High Level Dialogue by Labor Secretary Arturo Brion and Ambassador Baja, who are head and co-head of the Philippine Delegation. The dialogue will be attended by member-states, permanent observers, international governmental entities, non-profit organization, civil society and the private sector.
"Migration is a natural phenomenon and has assumed worldwide attention. We succeeded in elevating the migration issue as part of the global development agenda," Ambassador Baja said.
"The Forum should ensure greater policy coherence, effective coordination and enhanced cooperation among states and international organizations in addressing the multidimensional aspects of migration."
According to the ambassador, there is no place or opportunity for States to engage, at the global level, in an informal, in-depth, and structured discussion on international migration and development policies and practices. The proposed Forum, he said, is an informal, non-bonding, and global consultative process open to all member-states of the UN.
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It is not surprising that the appointment of businessman Levy Laus as CDC president was welcomed here by a lot of Filipinos who are keeping an interest on Clark.
Some diplomats, socio-civic leaders, journalists, nurses and the ordinary Filipinos here that I got the chance to talked to said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made the right decision.
What they are so ecstatic about is the possible working cooperation among Laus, Subic-Clark czar Edgardo Pamintuan and Ciac president Victor Luciano - who are all Kapampangans and not only that - they all serve as the President's confidantes insofar as Clark is concerned.
Congratulations therefore to bossman Mr. Laus, Mr. Luciano and of course Kong Ed. Your triune will be sure fire in propelling Clark to greater heights.
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