After 55 years, the Germans allowed sunlight into the UN Security Council chamber on Wednesday. The Security Council chamber, which has always appeared as a closed and dimly lit place in photographs, has very tall windows that had been covered for security reasons for over half a century. In 1964, a failed attack on the UN headquarters during a speech by Che Guevara, who was then the Minister of Industries of Cuba, led to the curtains in the chamber never being opened again. At that time, the New York Times reported that opponents of Fidel Castro's government were responsible for the attack and fired a bazooka at the UN building from a distance. The bullet fired landed in the waters of the Hudson River, about a hundred meters from the building. On Wednesday, the German delegation to the UN, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, pulled back the curtains and tweeted that transparency among UN members should not be 'just symbolic.' The Twitter account of this delegation at the UN also published a short video of the curtains being opened in the chamber.
For the First Time in 55 Years, the UN Security Council Sees Sunlight
The UN Security Council chamber has been closed off from sunlight for 55 years due to security concerns stemming from a failed attack in 1964. The German delegation, currently presiding over the Security Council, has opened the curtains, emphasizing the importance of transparency among UN members. This event marks a significant symbolic shift in the UN's approach to openness.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The German delegation to the UN opened the curtains in the Security Council chamber for the first time in 55 years, symbolizing a commitment to transparency among member states. This action was prompted by a historical security concern stemming from a failed attack in 1964.
- The curtains had been closed since 1964 due to security concerns after an attack during a speech by Che Guevara.
- The German delegation emphasized that transparency should not be merely symbolic.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The UN Security Council has historically been a key platform for addressing global security issues, including those involving Iran. The decision to open the curtains reflects a growing demand for transparency in international relations.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%