pensions - aafi-afics - UNOG

consider our candidature in the different bodies in light of our priorities and interests. For the time being, the
Security Council does not fall within these criteria. The day will come when we will be able to contribute usefully
to the Council. For the present, we will start by being a good Member State of the General Assembly.
At the moment, there are no high-ranking Swiss officials in the Organization. Will this change now?
Up to now the Secretary-General has had each time to justify the appointment of a high-ranking Swiss official.
This will no longer be the case. It is up to us to find valid candidates, to train people, to encourage young people
to join the Organization as a career.
Will this change the number of Swiss officials in the Secretariat?
As we were not members of the Organization there were very few Swiss officials. From September 2000, we will
have a quota like all the other countries, which means that more Swiss will certainly be employed in the United
Nations.
You are now going to be Swiss Ambassador in Paris. Will your next task be that Switzerland join the
European Union?
First of all, Paris is not the headquarters of the Union and, secondly, this is a far more complex problem of
domestic policy than joint the UN. Many more elements are at stake. It would mean a modification of the very
function of democracy, the transfer of sovereignty, and changes in the economic structures. The debate is open
and is far from being closed. The future will tell. All I will be able to do is to report, from Paris, on the evolution of
the Union. The decision must be with the Swiss people.
CHRISTMAS AT ST. PETERSBURG
By Olga Thayer
St. Petersburg is busy preparing. It’s Christmas eve and the last day for shopping.
Christmas, Christmas is here…
The streets are densely crowded with pedestrians and vehicles. Everyone is excited. A few elderly babushkas
carrying their bundles, hastily cross themselves, “Bozhe.moï, Merciful Lord”. One can never be too careful and a
little divine protection is always useful at such a time.
The elegant carriages, lackeys on the running board, do not want to be overtaken… a matter of prestige.
Honour to whom honour is due, and the crowd steps aside so as not to be crushed.
Light and elegant English carriages, driven by their owners, haughty and somewhat scornful; many phaetons,
and other more modest vehicles trying to get by, grumbling.
As usual, the star is the “Troika”. The Troika is a three-horse carriage. I think it has always been the emblem of
Russian, immortalized on the famous lacquer boxes from the village of Palekho. These boxes are unique and
inimitable. They are veritable jewels known world-wide, and are sold like hot cakes in the souvenir shops.
Troikas were also pictured on calendars, trays and many other objects.
Hurry, let’s go, driver. I’ll give you a good tip to buy some vodka. Hurry, let’s go!!! The troika has always been
the fastest means of transport with relays all over the country.
This year, however, there is something new. A shining metal monster has arrived, roaring, with four wheels.
“Has it come from outer space? Is it a devil?” whispers the trembling crowd.
He’s turning something that looks like a wheel. Is it the end of the world?
What a terrifying monster! He has a head like a balloon with two protruding eyes.
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