Page 489 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

Taking Stock of the Past

are also on the rise. The tragic events in the United States shocked and
saddened everyone regardless of culture or creed. Terrorism is a universal
challenge and the United Nations, the world's most universal organization, is
uniquely positioned for a global response.

At a time like this, the world is defined not only by what it is for, but by
what and whom it is against. The United Nations - and the international com-
munity recognize that just as there are common aims, there are common
enemies. To defeat them, all nations must join forces in a common effort en-
compassing every aspect of the open, free global system so wickedly exploited
by the perpetrators of terrorist atrocities. United Nations conventions already
provide a legal framework for actions that must be undertaken to eradicate ter-
rorism - including the extradition and prosecution of offenders and the
suppression of money laundering. These conventions must be implemented in
full.

The aggressive actions of international terrorism, seek to provoke clashes
among peoples on religious grounds, challenge the unity of the emerging global
society. The international community should support and further develop
constructive dialogue among civilizations. I am glad that in this Year of
Dialogue, UNOG has become one of the major venues for the Dialogue among
Civilizations. In 1993 we had six cultural events at the Palais, and this year 68.

In providing you with this account of UNOG's activities, I would like to
stress that this enormous work could not be possible without your
commitment to the United Nations ideals. If UNOG works smoothly, it is
because of YOU, the UN Geneva Staff. Despite inadequate resources your
achievements are impressive. I am pleased that the UNOG staff testifies its
great capacity for mobilization of the efforts and exceptional vitality of creative
potentials. We must continue to strive actively and relentlessly to uphold the
highest professional as well as ethical standards so that the gap between our
ideals and our practice is as narrow as humanly possible.

In pursuing this quest, I can but stress the need for strong and effective
staff representation as an essential component of a constructive partnership. I
remain convinced that constructive staff-management relations are a pre-
requisite in any organization aspiring to make a powerful contribution to its
purpose.

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