Introduction to Exhibit at The 8th
Floor gallery

The photo exhibit “Window on North Korea” which opened at The 8th Floor gallery in New York on Thursday, March 15 is an unusual and important event. It is a significant achievement to have gathered and put on display over 70 photographs documenting daily life, important events and cultural achievements of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). The exhibit is a joint exhibit which presents photographs taken by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), and photographs taken by Associated Press (AP) photographers in North Korea. Hence it is not only unusual to have an exhibit of photographs taken in North Korea opening in the US, but even more striking is the fact that the exhibit is the product of a joint agreement between the AP and the KCNA.

At the opening reception for the exhibit, on Thursday… weiter lesen

In line with the non-binding UN General Assembly resolution A/Res/66/253 approved at the UN on February 16, 2012, Ban Ki-moon has appointed Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General as the joint UN-Arab League envoy to Syria.(1)

Mr. Annan came to the UN on Wednesday, February 29, to begin the assumption of his role in the Syrian situation. Speaking to journalists at a press stakeout on Wednesday evening, Ban Ki-moon presented Mr. Annan to the media. As this was the first chance for UN journalists and the public to hear from Mr. Annan about the role he envisions playing in the Syrian conflict, it was disappointing that the Spokesman for the Secretary General only allowed 3 questions from journalists at this press encounter.

Clearly Mr. Annan is no stranger to the UN Charter as he served for 10 years as UN Secretary General. Yet his new appointment represents a significant dilemma… weiter lesen