With the high-level week of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) about to start, the contours of New York City, often touted the “world’s capital” because of the presence of the UN and many of its affiliated organisations, acquire the countenance of a well-guarded fortress.
Security is top priority both for the UN and the city itself which wants to ensure the UNGA passes without any untoward incident that could cast a black shadow on its reputation as a well-protected bastion where international leaders and dignitaries can discuss important issues.
The streets, from 42nd to 48th along the First Avenue, where the UN’s iconic building is located, are closed to traffic and heavily guarded by machine-gun wielding security officials who do not let passers-by enter without exhibiting the appropriate ID cards issued by the UN and other agencies.
Thousands of uniformed and plain-clothed officials are combing important strategic locations in the city and “leaving nothing to chance”, as the police have been saying. Their ubiquitous presence will be visible this entire week.
The entrance to the 43rd Street between the Second and First Avenue, where Malaysia’s permanent mission to the UN and the Malaysian consulate-general are located is closely guarded by security officials.
“This is a week of high-alert security. Our job is to provide security during the UNGA high-level week,” a security official, attired in dark blue uniform and wielding a heavy machine-gun tells Bernama at the entrance of the 43rd Street on the Second Avenue close to Malaysia’s permanent mission.
A high-level delegation, led by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is arriving in New York today. He is scheduled to address the UNGA on Sept 28.
Indeed, Mahathir is just one of about 200 leaders and dignitaries who are descending on New York, as they do each year, when the UNGA session kicks off.
US President Donald Trump is also addressing the general assembly and holding bilateral talks, including a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who is hosting a luncheon in the former’s honour.
The New York Police Department and the US Secret Service have been coordinating with each other to make the US President’s meeting, as Police Commissioner James O’Neill has been telling journalists, “one of the well-policed and best protected events in one of the safest cities in the entire world”.
But the closure of the streets near and around the UN leads to other problems in the city; it creates a traffic gridlock that brings the city’s traffic to a snail-paced movement. The city faces a nightmarish traffic situation.
With more than 100 diplomatic motorcades a day passing through the city’s streets, driving in the city, already stressful, becomes unbearable for the average motorist, with the exhibition of what is called “road rage” becoming a common sight.
According to Tom Galati, the chief of intelligence, there are 67 protest demonstrations expected during this week; some of the demonstrations are expected near the UN while others will be held at foreign missions and consulates in the city.
- Bernama
