Kofi Annan Resignation Watch -- Piling On Embarrassment edition
Written by: Beck
"It's like Swiss cheese," the security source told Reuters.
Shocking. The UN's European headquarters is riddled with audio bugs. Money quote up front:
"If we had the technical means and staff for thorough searches, I'm certain we would find one microphone after another. The United Nations in New York and Vienna are the same," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
That's right. They found a bug, they assume there's plenty more, but they, um, lack the, er, hmm... we give these people $7 billion/year
why again?
At least the room wasn't being used for anything important.
Swiss television TSR said the device was found behind wooden panels in the elegant Salon Francais, used by ministers from major powers in September 2003 during private talks on Iraq following the U.S. invasion and occupation.
[...] Several delegations, including one headed by then French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, used the Salon Francais during the September 2003 talks.
[...] The room was also used last January during talks on global hunger attended by Annan, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Jacques Chirac.
It was also used when Annan met Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Cameroon President Paul Biya to discuss the disputed Bakassi Peninsula.
It is adjacent to the hall where the U.N.-sponsored Conference on Disarmament holds weekly negotiations and is used by ministers who address the 66-member forum and often hold separate bilateral meetings.
Like I said, nothing important.
(Hat tip:
Protein Wisdom)
