Editor's note : this message is further to the chain of comments on the BBC article : United Nations at 75. The earlier comments can be found by clicking here.
Dear all,
Let me come in in this trail of exchanges regarding the Italian contribution of US$ 100 million for the UCI programme. I was in Rome attending the SID annual Conference when Mr Grant asked me to review with Marco the draft agreement of the Italian donation. Yes, I was surprised and shocked to note as one of the terms of the agreement is the obligation by UNICEF to employ Italian doctors and purchase Italian made vehicles and other supplies. I did express my objection to have such a request included in the agreement underlining the UN procurement rules and regulations and DHR recruitment procedures and also what it will entail as problem for the organization. I was told that was the expressed request of the Italian government and if not accepted there will be no donation.
I brought this to the attention of JPG underlining the potential problem that UNICEF will face if he signs the agreement with this obligation stating also that the vehicles might be more a hindrance to the recipient countries than a help as the national fleet of vehicles may be of different makes. JPG looked at me and said: " Fritz where do you think we can have just like that US 100 million dollars for UCI?" I replied saying Mr Grant "that depends at which door one knocks; there might be many other doors that can be opened". Silence! That was the end of the conversation.
Dr Steve Joseph and I accompanied JPG to the Ministry of Cooperation where Marco was waiting. Minister Forte and JPG signed the agreement complimenting each other for this noble objective to save millions children lives with immunization. Minister Forte added that the Italian government was indeed proud to participate in this endeavour. JPG replied thanking the Italian Government for this generous contribution that will certainly help reach the UCI objective.
What I want to affirm is that JPG knows very well that it was a tight contribution and also the problem that will ensue with the recruitment of the Italian doctors and the purchase of the Italian vehicles circumventing the rules and procedures. But this was JPG. He knows of the stumbling- blocks ahead, but he was not afraid and was prepared to face the problems for the noble cause.
Best regards
Fritz
Dear all,
Let me come in in this trail of exchanges regarding the Italian contribution of US$ 100 million for the UCI programme. I was in Rome attending the SID annual Conference when Mr Grant asked me to review with Marco the draft agreement of the Italian donation. Yes, I was surprised and shocked to note as one of the terms of the agreement is the obligation by UNICEF to employ Italian doctors and purchase Italian made vehicles and other supplies. I did express my objection to have such a request included in the agreement underlining the UN procurement rules and regulations and DHR recruitment procedures and also what it will entail as problem for the organization. I was told that was the expressed request of the Italian government and if not accepted there will be no donation.
I brought this to the attention of JPG underlining the potential problem that UNICEF will face if he signs the agreement with this obligation stating also that the vehicles might be more a hindrance to the recipient countries than a help as the national fleet of vehicles may be of different makes. JPG looked at me and said: " Fritz where do you think we can have just like that US 100 million dollars for UCI?" I replied saying Mr Grant "that depends at which door one knocks; there might be many other doors that can be opened". Silence! That was the end of the conversation.
Dr Steve Joseph and I accompanied JPG to the Ministry of Cooperation where Marco was waiting. Minister Forte and JPG signed the agreement complimenting each other for this noble objective to save millions children lives with immunization. Minister Forte added that the Italian government was indeed proud to participate in this endeavour. JPG replied thanking the Italian Government for this generous contribution that will certainly help reach the UCI objective.
What I want to affirm is that JPG knows very well that it was a tight contribution and also the problem that will ensue with the recruitment of the Italian doctors and the purchase of the Italian vehicles circumventing the rules and procedures. But this was JPG. He knows of the stumbling- blocks ahead, but he was not afraid and was prepared to face the problems for the noble cause.
Best regards
Fritz
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