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UNIS/VIC/94 |
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UN VIENNA STAFF OBSERVES A MOMENT OF SILENCE VIENNA, 13 September (UN Information Service) - Today more than 2,000 staff from the United Nations office in Vienna observed a moment of silence at the Peace Bell for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States on Tuesday 11 September, and elsewhere. Staff from UNOV, UNIDO, IAEA and CTBTO joined together at the Peace Bell in the Plaza at the Vienna International Centre, to offer their sympathies to the victims and their families. At 15.00 local time a minute’s silence was observed and the UN and IAEA flags were lowered to half-mast. The solemn event was initiated by the Staff Councils of all the UN Vienna-based organisations and agencies. Mr. Pino Arlacchi, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna and also Executive Director of the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP), condemned the "brutal terrorist acts" and on behalf of the United Nations in Vienna expressed his solidarity with the United States Government, the American people and the families and friends of those who were killed. "As we share in the grief, we also share in the conviction that as members of the human community we must find a way to put an end to terrorism – a form of violence that deliberately seeks out the innocent," Mr. Arlacchi said in his statement and continued, "the United Nations will play an important part in a strengthened fight against terrorism. We will have a role here in Vienna through the Terrorism Prevention Branch and the mandates already assigned to it." The President of the UN Staff Council at Vienna, Mr. Adam C. Bouloukos, said: "We have gathered here today to offer our most sincere sympathies to those victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States of America and to extend those sympathies to all the victims of terrorism, past and present. We condemn all acts of violence and call upon all the peoples of the world to respect diversity and to strive to coexist in peace." At the end of the meeting, the Peace Bell was rung in memory of victims of terrorism. * * * * * |
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