Secretary-General praises Peter Hansens “unflagging energy, commitment and leadership” in remarks to staff of palestine relief agency
Following are (uddrag af) Secretary-General Kofi Annans remarks to United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) staff in Jerusalem, 14 March:
I recall my last visit to the occupied Palestinian territory, almost four years ago. I learned about the special counselling that UNRWA is giving to traumatized children, and about your efforts to rehabilitate people injured by shrapnel or rubber bullets.
Today, I am glad to have a chance to see more of the truly vast range of vital services that UNRWA provides. Indeed, it is hard to imagine how Palestinian refugees might have fared over these many decades without UNRWAs programmes in education, health care, microfinance and other key aspects of human development.
I know that today, there is still a lot of suffering and despair as both sides continue to count the casualties. Too often, children are among the casualties. Moreover, Palestinians also suffer from checkpoints, curfews and other restrictions on movement that only add to the suffering. Closures also continue to impede our humanitarian operations.
And yet, the political situation has improved. We sense once again the possibility of change. The hope that springs from that should encourage us all. The historic elections in January showed the determination of Palestinians to seek peaceful and democratic means of ending the occupation, resolving differences, running their own affairs and building their nation.
The understandings reached at Sharm el-Sheik heralded a fresh start in efforts to end four years of bloodshed, and we will all work hard to overcome any delays in its implementation. The agreement by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to end violence signalled a new attitude of cooperation, and the start to rebuilding between the two sides.
I know this is also a time of transition for UNRWA. PETER HANSEN will be leaving at the end of this month, completing his tenure after nine years of outstanding service as Commissioner-General (of the UNRWA), and 27 years of remarkable contributions to many different areas of the United Nations work.
I want to thank Peter for the unflagging energy, commitment and leadership that he has brought to this immensely challenging task. It is hard to imagine anyone more devoted to the interests of the Palestine refugees, or more courageous in championing them, particularly during the last four years of renewed conflict and tragic violence.
Peter has been an inspiring leader, an effective manager, a successful fund-raiser, and an empathetic presence sharing your sorrows and your anger.
Indeed, one measure of the high regard in which he is held will come in just a short while from now, when Peter will leave us to attend a ceremony at which the Palestinian authority will honour him for all that he has done. He richly deserves this recognition.
I know that many of you are disappointed that he will not be with you even longer. There may even be some misunderstanding about the circumstances.
I would like to assure you that the only reason for his departure is that, as I said in the letter that was sent to all UNRWA staff, nine years is long enough for anyone to have to live with the stresses and strains of such a job.
Peter nobly indicated his willingness to stay on. But I believe it is the right moment to look for a new leader to shoulder the burden.
Peter will be a tough act to follow. I have asked Karen Koning AbuZayd to serve, upon his departure, as Acting Commissioner-General, and I have no doubt she will rise to the challenge.
As you know, I have initiated a global search for the best possible successor. We are making this a truly open search, asking governments, civil society groups and others to give us the names of qualified men and women.
Kilde: www.runiceurope.org
