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61.

STATEMENT
BY THE UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL VLADIMIR PETROVSKY
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA
AT THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY IN HONOUR OF THE
PRESIDENT OF THE SWISS CONFEDERATION RUTH DREIFUSS
AND IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, Thursday, 10 December 1998

Mr. President,
Madame President-elect,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I t is my honour and it gives me great pleasure to be here today to
address you on this most historic occasion. As we are celebrating
the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, Mrs. Ruth Dreifuss, you have been sworn in as the President of the
Swiss Confederation.

I would like to extend to you warmest congratulations on behalf of the
United Nations and the international community of Geneva. Your stature and
experience will surely expand the message of the Swiss Confederation and its
people as we approach the new millennium, as the first ever lady President
of Switzerland your task will be challenging as you will be joining the
continually enlarging group of feminine leaders of the world. In electing
you as its next President, Switzerland has symbolized its commitment to the
principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which we are
celebrating today.

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