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MESSAGE
OF MR. VLADIMIR PETROVSKY
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA
ON THE OCCASION OF “FÊTE DE L’ESCALADE”

The Geneva Welcome Center, Villa la Pastorale, 5 December 2000

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

I t is my pleasure to be with you on the occasion of this year's

“Fête de l’Escalade”. An annual gathering which serves to bring
together all the inhabitants of “Geneva international” to enjoy a
traditional and festive Swiss commemoration. The longest night of the year -
December 12, 1602 - is forever engraved in Geneva's memory as the night
when the city narrowly escaped the greatest threat to its independence. It is
also historically remembered for the lesson which the people of Geneva took
th
from this tragic event. With the external threat gone, the 17 Century started in
Geneva as a period of calm and growing prosperity which was followed by great
manifestations of tolerance and generosity from the people of Geneva to other
nations. In other words, the history of Geneva gives us a clear example that
stability, well-being and tolerance create the necessary conditions for peaceful
and friendly relations among nations as proclaimed in Article 53 the UN
Charter.

This evening's event once more, brings the international character of
Geneva to the forefront. It is yet another occasion for further strengthening the
links between the population of this city and the international community. It is
my sincere hope that this trend will continue to develop in the future and that

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