CNN news 2012-10-01 加文本

cnn news 2012-10-01

The nation of Greece is struggling. Itsunemployment rate is soaring, near 25 percent, and the government is buriedunder a load of debt. It’s getting money from other countries to help out withthat, but it comes with conditions. For one thing, Greece has to cut its spending,something it’s already done several times. Many of the services it used toprovide no longer exist, government workers’ salaries have been cut, and formany Greeks, things haven’t been getting better. That’s why thousands spilledinto the streets on Wednesday, some of them scuffling with police. A one-daystrike in Athensshut down a lot of public transportation, as well as schools there.

Across the Atlantic, to the US state of Ohio. In elections Ohio is considered a battleground state, onethat either a Democrat or Republican could win. Ohio has chosen the winning presidentialcandidate since 1964. That’s part of the reason why both major candidatescampaigned there yesterday. The incumbent President Obama who won Ohio by five points in2008, is leading again in recent polls there. He accused his Republicanchallenger of wanting to try old economic policies that didn’t work.

Meanwhile, Republican nominee Mitt Romneysaid the polls aren’t his major concern. He also said, he knows how to get the U.S. economygoing again, and that the president doesn’t.

Next up, New York City, home of the headquarters ofthe United Nations, in where the General Assembly of all 193 member countriesis meeting. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke yesterday. Thecontroversial leader said his nation welcomes efforts to promote peace, othercountries say, Iran’strying to build a nuclear weapon. That’s part of the reason why the US delegationdidn’t attend Ahmadinejad’s speech.

Now, with all this tension going on,diplomacy, dealing carefully with these different interests of all thesedifferent countries is key. cnn’s Alina Cho got to hang out with the master ofdiplomacy, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Good morning, nice to see you. Very early.

It’s just after 7:00 in the morning and weare at the home of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

I normally should get up at the 4, 4:30,but particularly during these days.

Especially on this day, the opening day ofhigh level debate at the UN General Assembly.

They call the UNGA the Super Bowl ofdiplomacy.

For Ban Ki-moon, it’s the busiest time ofthe year.

Now, this week, we have around the 190leaders. I’m going to meet most of them, and ...

Which pressure do you feel?

Of course, I’m, I’m, this a lot ofpressure.

So much so ...

These days I cannot sleep no more than fourhours. I have only 24 hours like everybody else.

In this 24 hour period, Secretary GeneralBan will meet with the leader of the free world.

What will you say to President Obama today?

We need US leadership, President Obama’sleadership and influence. You will see how tight the security will be yourself.

We are off.

We quickly learn, being the SG has itsperks.

Special lane, only for the leaders of UNdelegations.

Minutes later, we arrive at the UnitedNations and the handshakes begin.

Hi, how are you?

Once inside, more handshakes in multiplelanguages.

Comment allez-vous?

Salam aleikum!

Aleikum-assalam! Very good.

Dobroye utro!

Dobroye utro! Da, dobroye utro.

How many hands did you shake?

A hundred.

The SG schedule is minute by minute.

This is normally …

How do you read that?

Yes, we can, you know. You have to havevery fine glasses, maybe.

A quick meeting with Brazil’spresident and it’s nearly time.

Deep breath.

Deep breath.

Time for Secretary General Ban to addressthe world’s leaders on a world stage.

Alina Cho, cnn, New York