Russia, Costa Rica Want to Keep on Smoking at UN

Reuters ^ | 10-1-2003

[Cagey]

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Secretary-General Kofi Annan spoke too soon in trying to ban smoking from U.N. headquarters with several fuming diplomats on Tuesday trying to find ways around the prohibition.

At a meeting of the General Assembly's committee on budget and administration, several delegates, led by Costa Rica and Russia, questioned the legal basis for Annan to put out such an order without a vote from member states.

In the end, the panel, which includes all 191 U.N. members, decided to ask Annan to explain the legal basis for his decision before taking any further action.

"It is the sort of issue that can catch fire, as it were," said one Western delegate, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It can get pretty disgusting in the basement where there are no windows but some delegates are spoiling for a fight and want to smoke."

Annan issued the ban in a letter to staff and ambassadors in August, citing health reasons and insurance costs in the high-rise building on Manhattan's East River that does not have a sprinkler system. He urged everyone to cooperate voluntarily.

In 1995, the United Nations announced a smoking ban for much of its headquarters, such as small meeting rooms, although some delegates violated it.

[Cagey]

C'mon man, I need a smoke.

[fontoon]

I am an American born and raised in Costa Rica, and Costaricans are like the french when it comes to smoking. I hope they stick to their guns on this one.

[Cagey]

and Costaricans are like the french when it comes to smoking.

....minus the mandatory white flag of course.