UN information center
The day was Monday, Sept. 29, 1997 at about 1:30 p.m. As I passed by a Central Jakarta street called Jl. Kebon Sirih, my eyes suddenly spotted one of the high-rise buildings on the left in front of which there was a colorful United Nations flag. Near it, there was a white sign board indicating that this was UN Information Center. One of the security guards at the entrance smiled at me as he noticed my apparent interest so I stooped. After the usual exchange of greetings, the man directed me to proceed to fifth floor if I wanted to have a look around the center.
Upon arrival on the fifth floor, a man wearing a uniform in the color of the UN flag welcomed me and, without being asked, immediately directed me to the library. He probably just assumed I came to visit the library and so he told me to wait a while because the lady librarian was busy taking lunch. I guessed the lunch was delicious and the pleasant smell completely invaded my nose. After a few minutes the librarian appeared. She's a middle- aged Indonesian. I introduced myself to her and after a small chat she began her explanation of the library.
I still have a fresh memory of her as she treated me with such courtesy. Within a few minutes, I had glanced at small journals on shelves. Within the small library, there was a video viewing section so I started glancing at the video film shelf. All the titles were based on important UN global activities. I selected about three titles which I wanted to watch: 50th anniversary of the UN, Secretary-General's address to UN staff International Conference on Population and Development, etc. I spent only a few minutes on each of the three films. While enjoying myself in the video room, at the same time I looked at various decorations on the walls. Certainly, the video setup was the biggest I have ever seen. The fully air-conditioned room was like an executive classroom and the front table was placed in between two UN/Indonesian flags. On the wall just behind the table, there was some bold writing saying "... nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war anymore."
Before I left I also decided to go around the administrative offices where I glanced at other spectacular UN photos of all the secretaries-general including Sir Kofi Annan. All the UN member- nations' national flags were on display. This place is so nice, particularly for stamps collection fans as there were various internal stamps. I won't forget the elderly video attendant who gave me a cup of water upon my request. Thanks to the female librarian for giving me some free-of-charge booklets. It was all very nice, but I regretted two things at the very end.
First some of the videocassettes I tried were out of order though people in-charge didn't seem to take note.
Last, one of the photo displays had an inscription Africa in Crises. As usual, this is an unfair description of Africa because the UN intentionally refuses to inform outsiders that not all the African countries are in crisis.
BUHARI ABDU
Jakarta