Best places cited to snooze at UN
Best places cited to snooze at UN
UNITED NATIONS (AP): The United Nations is known for its
marathon talkfests that can put even the most seasoned diplomats
to sleep. Now there's hope for an antidote.
Former French Ambassador Alain Dejammet has done a service to
all his colleagues by writing a 14-page, tongue-in-cheek guide to
the best places at UN headquarters to escape the boredom and
catch a catnap.
"Sleeping at the United Nations," a pocket-sized guide in
French with a kitty on the cover, was one of Dejammet's parting
gifts before leaving the post in March after four years for a new
assignment.
The dry-witted ambassador ranks 12 lounges, consultation rooms
and sitting areas around the UN complex on a scale of 1-20 for
their comfort, light, calmness and frequency of use.
In fine Michelin fashion, with his own personal touches thrown
in, Dejammet then gives an overall ranking, ranging from "ill-
advised," (known by its symbol of !!!) to "exceptional" (which
gets a **** ranking).
"Impression of being in an abandoned monastery, in spite of
the snores," Dejammet wrote of the periodical room at the UN
library, which got three stars: very agreeable.
The conference room of the European Union liaison office got
high marks for comfort: "Abundance of coffee and delicious little
cakes."
But it lost points for calmness. "Even without meetings, a nap
can be interrupted at any moment by the sudden arrival of a
Eurocrat demanding details of the French position concerning the
promotion of rights of young girls in crises affecting land-
locked countries," he explained.
The UN Meditation Room, which sits across the street from UN
headquarters, earned the worst score. Its blue Chagall windows
evoke a "draculesque crypt," while the squeaking sneakers of
tourists allow for little meditation, he wrote.
Only the French office at the United Nations, which France
uses for private consultations, earned four stars and the
unflinching praise of Dejammet who evoked a Matisse masterpiece
in saying it was where everything was "luxe, calme et volupte" -
luxurious and calm.