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 David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. 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. Partner news | Russian Ambassador to Armenia summoned to Moscow for consultations Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin has been summoned to Moscow for consultations. Azerbaijan says now controls 4 villages as part of deal with Armenia Azerbaijan's border service has taken control of four villages in the Gazakh district on the border with Armenia. Lukashenko has "very interesting proposal" involving Caucasus Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has said he has "a very interesting proposal" involving the Caucasus region. Azerbaijan establishing three military colleges Three military colleges are being established in Azerbaijan, according to a decree signed by the country’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov. |