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New York (dpa) - The American official responsible for renovating the UN world headquarters resigned Thursday, citing the lack of commitment by "many major stakeholders" in the world organization.
Louis Frederick Reuter said in a statement he had difficulties working within the UN system on such a big project, known as the Capital Master Plan, to rebuild the more than 50-year-old building that serves as headquarters for the UN.
"I have been frustrated by a number of factors, all working together, including the lack of clear support by many major stakeholders," he said.
Reuter, who helped build a major hospital in New York City and has been in the construction business for more than 30 years, was hired by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan a year ago to oversee the Capital Master Plan.
Renovating the headquarters is to cost about 1.6 billion dollars, including construction of a temporary new office building to house the staff while the old headquarters is being renovated.
To make matters worse, New York State legislators have refused to give permission to build the temporary office building. Without that building, the UN said it would cost more than 400 million dollars in rent in New York City to house the staff for many years until the renovation is complete.
The US, in a dispute with UN members over the budget, refused to put down the initial 100 million dollars as part of its contribution for the renovation. It offered only 23.5 million dollars.
Reuter said in interviews last month that persistent objections from the US caused heavy delays in meeting deadlines for rebuilding the dilapidated headquarters.
A study conducted last year showed that obsolete construction materials and worn out water pipes and electrical wiring used in the UN headquarters have violated all US building codes.
Annan voiced deep regret at Reuter's resignation.
"I am sorry that he has had to leave because of frustration and a lack of major stakeholder commitment," Annan said.
Copyright 2006 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
