UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked the world body Friday for money and emergency powers to boost UN security globally after a deadly attack by Taleban militants on a Kabul guest house this week. “The United Nations, increasingly, has become a target,” Ban told the General Assembly. “Our people on the ground and in harm's way deserve our fullest support - in Afghanistan, and everywhere the UN flag flies.” Ban asked for “expanded authority to undertake new financial commitments in times of crisis.” His current level of emergency spending is capped at $1 million, which he said was “simply not enough.” He requested an additional $50 million to better screen and protect access to vulnerable UN locations around the world and for a separate $25 million emergency fund to be established for the UN Department of Safety and Security. Ban's requests came after five UN workers were killed Wednesday when Taleban militants attacked a guesthouse housing 34 UN staff.. Ban indirectly criticized local security forces in Afghanistan when he described how UN security officers fought attackers for nearly an hour with no backup, saving many lives in the process.
