New York – The United Nations Millennium Summit being held in Manhattan this week is the largest gathering of world leaders in history. The Summit did attract over 190 heads of state. Cuban President Fidel Castro is among the visiting dignitaries, making the trip the first time he has visited the United States since 1995.
Secretary-General of the U.N. Kofi Annan, asked the leaders to held a minute of silence at the start of the meeting to commemorate the deaths of the three aid workers slain Wednesday after an angry pro-Indonesian mob and militiamen attacked and burned the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Annan announced the attack to the summit, telling leaders it was a “somber” reminder of the dangers U.N. staff face every day.
Even before rioters overwhelmed the U.N. refugee agency in the Indonesian-controlled territory, there were no illusions that the three-day summit in New York would in itself change the world and cure it of its ills.
“The problems seem huge,” Annan said, listing poverty, the AIDS epidemic, wars and environmental degradation. “But in todays world, given the technology and the resources around, we have the means to tackle them. If we have the will, we can deal with them.”
While Annan is hoping for new commitments to the U.N. goals of ending poverty and wars, some heads of state are expected to use the three days of speeches, discussions and meetings to push their own agendas – including those critical of the United States.
Tight security around the United Nations inconvenienced New Yorkers and netted several arrests over the weekend. At least 91 demonstrations are planned during the gathering of more than 150 heads of state, which runs from Wednesday through Friday.
At the summits conclusion, world leaders are expected to adopt the so-called Millennium Declaration, which commits to eradicating poverty, promoting education and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Noting that more than 5 million people have lost their lives in wars during the last decade, the document says, “we will spare no effort to free our peoples from the scourge of war.”
A nine-page draft circulated Monday also vows to promote democracy and strengthen respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, “including the right to development” – a key demand by Third World countries.
Police officials are confident the 41,000-strong department – the largest in the nation – can handle any situation, and there will not be a repeat of last falls WTO gathering in Seattle.
To protect the dignitaries, the NYPD dispatched up to 6,000 officers for security and traffic patrols, which will cost an estimated $8 million in overtime, Giuliani said. Police will coordinate security measures with the Secret Service and the State Department. Officials from the two federal agencies said they do not discuss security measures.
Along with the dignitaries comes cars – lots of them. Around 170 motorcades involving 1,300 vehicles are expected. The dignitaries will be staying in 34 separate hotels and private residences in Manhattan.
That means Manhattans notoriously clogged roads and highways will be even more congested because police will have to close down a number of streets for security reasons. For example, streets near the Cuban Mission will be closed to protect Castro.
While the majority of the summits events will take place in or around the United Nations, President Clinton is hosting an event on Sept. 7 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that will cause major gridlock as dignitaries are moved further uptown.
Road closures will begin on Sunday and continue through Sept. 9, the day after the summit ends. Motorists were advised to take public transportation.
Asked if he thought having the United Nations in New York City was worth it because of all the necessary security and traffic precautions, Giuliani said yes.
From Sunday afternoon until next Saturday evening, First Avenue between 42 and 46 streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic. along with 44th and 45th streets between First and Second avenues.
On Wednesday, the FDR Drive from 34th to 63rd streets will be closed periodically from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., except during evening rush hour.
Wednesday through Friday, no cars will be allowed on First Avenue between 34th and 42 streets and all of the side streets from 34th to 42nd between Second avenue and the FDR Drive during UN business hours.
On Thursday, you wont be able to drive along Madison Avenue from 42nd to 86th streets from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., or Fifth Avenue from 79th to 86th streets from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Fifth Avenue between 86th and 110th streets from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Westbound streets from 72nd to 110th streets between Madison and Fifth avenues will also be closed. Also, on the FDR Drive from 34th to 63rd streets from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., no cars, except during the morning and evening rush.
