UN "strongly" defends UNICEF official ousted by ArmeniaMarch 10, 2021 - 16:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United Nation has "strongly" defended Marianne Clark‑Hattingh, the representative of UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) in Armenia, one day after the government terminated her mandate in the country. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General, was asked about the organization's assessment of the situation, given that authorities in Armenia had cited Clark‑Hattingh's "uncooperative work style" as a reason behind the decision. Earlier, some media reported that the UNICEF official was allegedly engaged in espionage in favor of Azerbaijan and the UK, and the Armenian authorities declared her persona non grata. "The allegations against… the spying allegations against her are baseless, and I would defend her strongly," Dujarric told a daily briefing on Wednesday, March 10. "What I can tell you and what my colleagues of UNICEF have told me is that UNICEF and the Government of Armenia have agreed that Marianne Clark‑Hattingh will complete her assignment as UNICEF Representative in Armenia this month, and she’ll be redeployed to another duty station." The United Nations spokesperson went on to say that the Clark‑Hattingh is "a highly qualified, extremely experienced and committed to development professional," who has previously served with UNICEF at Headquarters, as well as being the Representative in Malaysia and other posts in places such as Somalia, Guinea, Benin and Madagascar. "UNICEF has been working for the children in Armenia since 1993 and has had a close and effective partnership with the Government," Dujarric added. Clark-Hattingh assumed leadership of UNICEF Armenia in July 2020, following her time, serving as Representative, at UNICEF Malaysia office from 2016-2020. It was reported earlier that she had allegedly left the country, but Dujarric's comments deny that. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |