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S witzerland

Au revoir Mr Ambassador

We may see him here again. During just one session of the Advances have been made as a
True, after four years, Human Rights Committee, he result of international diplomats
Ambassador Yaacov Levy is lea- made no less than twenty-one who offered their services as
ving Geneva, but he is still speeches dealing with civil and intermediaries.
young enough to come back one political rights, the rights of the
day. He liked his assignment child, economic, social and cul- In the little time that is not devo-
here, which he describes as a tural rights, and culture. ted to work, Mr Levy goes to
permanent challenge. But were concerts in Geneva and travels as
New York (more than six years), The search for consensus is much as possible. He is also an
Rome (four), Malta (two) and extremely complex and time- avid bookworm and loves rea-
Boston, where he served as consuming, Mr Levy says, and ding biographies of great states-
Consul General for another four he gives the example of the diffi- men and politicians.
years, no less challenging? And culties encountered even in such
then, he spent almost eight years matters as the information socie- He will be completing his term in
as Deputy Director-General of ty. But consensus is worth all the September and will rejoin the
the Israeli Foreign Ministry just trouble and time spent in trying Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.
before coming to Geneva? to reach it. Until his next appointment. Will
Altogether, thirty-four years of he be visiting Geneva as a tou-
diplomatic service. In addition to activities connec- rist?
ted with the UN family subjects
He seems to be satisfied with the and organizations, Mr Levy He promises that he will do his
Genevan experience, which gave thinks that Geneva was and is a best. "I love the city of Geneva
him a deep insight into multilate- perfect place to present one's cul- and its surroundings, both in
ralism, the latest cry in the scien- ture. His mission organized sco- Switzerland and France. Italy is
ce of international relations. res of concerts and art exhibits not very far away either and the
Switching his attention, day in and he, in turn, appreciated cuisine in the region is excellent.
and day out, from trade to health events presented by his collea- So...'
and from labour to human rights, gues.
the Ambassador had an ample Meanwhile, good luck in whate-
opportunity to satisfy his intel- Speaking of colleagues, the ver you may be doing. And, an
lectual curiosity and alertness, Ambassador is happy to have revoir, Mr Ambassador.
both qualities that are badly nee- established good contacts and
ded in a place like Geneva. friendships with many of them. LD

28 Diva 7.2004