السلالم المتحركة أزمة النقدية الخمول

The United Nations in October turned to austerity measures, including the shutdown of the escalators in its NYC headquarters building, after some of its annual member-country contributions -- including from the U.S. -- became past-due, leaving the intergovernmental organization strapped for cash. According to the انتر برس سيرفيس (IPS) news agency, some of these measures have put a serious crimp in the U.N.'s mission, such as cutbacks on translation and interpretation services, travel and operating hours. Officials have acknowledged, however, that the escalator shutdowns are meant more as a symbolic gesture to draw attention to the missed payments, rather than a substantial money-saving move. Complaints by diplomats resulted in restoration of escalator service to floors used by envoys, but a moving staircase used mostly by U.N. staffers and journalists remains shut down. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. spends about US$14,000 to operate the escalator, and repeated questions from reporters have led to the suggestion of using the recently installed Gandhi Solar Park -- a US$1-million, 50-kW solar array that was a gift from the Government of India -- to power the idled unit. “I’m barely a spokesman," Dujarric said in response to the suggestion. "I don’t think I’m an electrical engineer, but I will see where that electricity goes.” A U.N. official said the austerity measures are only temporary, and that full services would be restored once cash-flow problems are resolved.