New U.N. Rights Chief Vows to Be Tactful
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Sergio Vieira de Mello, the new U.N. human rights chief, promised to act as the voice of the world’s oppressed but implied that he would be less publicly outspoken than his predecessor.
“My job will require speaking out to turn the world’s attention to abuses,” Vieira de Mello said. “But it also requires tact and political acumen, as well as the ability to roll up one’s sleeves and get down to work to protect human rights away from the spotlights and the microphones.”
It was his first news conference since succeeding Mary Robinson as U.N. high commissioner for human rights on Sept. 12.
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