By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 3 2004 (IPS)

A perceived terrorist threat against two U.N. sister institutions, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in Washington DC, has prompted the 5,000-strong U.N. Staff Union to demand tighter security measures at U.N. headquarters in New York.

”We are told additional security measures are being taken. But we don’t see any visible signs. As far as we are concerned, it is business as usual,” says Guy Candusso, vice president of the union.

Candusso said security must be reassessed in the headquarters building, and the Staff Union should be consulted. ”We should have a role in U.N. security. But we are being cold-shouldered,” he told IPS.

Candusso also said the U.N. Secretariat’s claims that it is tightening security is purely an attempt to reassure the 5,000 employees working in the building.

A U.N. spokesman told IPS the United Nations does not go public with any of its security plans ”for obvious reasons.”

Since the forced resignation of U.N. Security Coordinator Tun Myat in November 2003, the world body has also been operating without a security chief.

The probe found deficiencies in U.N. security, forcing the resignation of Myat and the demotion of other officials.

”Staff security is a full-time job,” the Staff Union said in a statement last week. ”The United Nations is duty-bound to appoint a new fulltime person as soon as possible.”

Asked about the latest security threats to the World Bank and the IMF – revealed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security last weekend but based on intelligence that it admitted later is years old – U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan told reporters Tuesday: ”I think we all live in a rather difficult and unpredictable world. We do take these threats seriously.”

“We need to take precautions. But we need to get on with our work and our lives. And that is exactly what we are doing,” said Annan.

He added that the Aug. 19 anniversary of the bombing of the U.N. compound in Baghdad ”reminds us of what a dangerous environment U.N. staff have to work in around the world.” ”It also reminds us that the (U.N.’s) blue flag cannot be assumed to protect us any longer.”

Last year, al-Qaeda specifically threatened the United Nations as a target for a terrorist attack in an audio message from its leader, Osama bin Laden.

”The United Nations is nothing but a tool of crime,” bin Laden said in his taped message released last November.

Although there have been several earlier threats against the United Nations, no direct attacks have taken place so far.

Since 1992, more than 220 U.N. civilian staffers have been killed on duty in overseas assignments in several countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Kosovo, Georgia, Tajikistan, East Timor, Sudan and Uganda.

These employees worked not only for the U.N. secretariat but also for agencies such as the World Food Programme, the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Since the precincts of the United Nations, the World Bank and the IMF are considered international territory, security is usually provided by in-house security staff. Police forces from New York City and Washington, DC monitor security only outside the perimeters of the three institutions.

Although visitors entering the headquarters building in Manhattan are subject to rigid security checks, diplomats and U.N. employees are exempted. The Staff Union has demanded that the Secretariat not make any exceptions on security.

On Monday, following Homeland Security’s announcement about potential terrorist threats against several buildings in New York, the U.N.’s security and safety service said the U.S. coast guard would post a boat on the East River near the U.N. building to check boat traffic entering the waterway adjoining the U.N. complex.

The security service also said it has introduced a number of ”enhanced security measures” in and around the headquarters complex. ”Some of the measures may not be noticeable, but some are readily apparent, such as strategically placed response teams, and closer vehicle inspections,” it said.

While U.N. staff and delegates are encouraged to go about their business as normal, they have been advised to avoid bringing large packages into the building, walk down the ramp outside the building and are also barred from using any entrances other than those designated for the staff.

The Staff Union complained last week that the United Nations had relaxed its security restrictions on the set of a movie, ‘The Interpreter’, which was being shot on location in the U.N. premises for the last several weeks.

”Only a few weeks ago,” the union said, ”a large advertisement appeared in the local papers announcing an ‘open casting call’ for a movie, ‘The Interpreter’ that is being filmed at the United Nations.”

”Interested people were asked to come to a designated location, wearing business attire or native dress, and bring photographs of themselves. Hundreds of these local members of the community will be used in the movie.”

”How is that you restrict the movements of U.N. staff but allow hundreds of extras to move around freely in the premises?” a member of the staff union asked.

But security was not compromised for the filming, said a U.N. official.

”Security has been involved in every aspect of this project from the very beginning, and has had a voice in everything from loading in of equipment to safety requirements for stunts,” said Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Shashi Tharoor.

”Although I realise that some staff and affiliates may have understandable objections to the restrictions that have been placed on them by security, it should not be implied that security has been excessively restrictive on them while being less vigilant where ‘The Interpreter’ is concerned.”

”All are subject to security’s requirements, without exception,” Tharoor said.

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