THE NEW WORLD DISORDER - Game of chicken at U.N. has security officials fried
Stewart Stogel
Oct. 25, 2009
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| "Colonel" at U.N. General Assembly |
NEW YORK – The latest controversy at United Nations headquarters does not involve issues of war and peace, nuclear proliferation or terrorism, scandal or global economic collapse – no, it's a game of chicken. Literally.
The crisis at the international body began Thursday at noon, as a number of what appeared to be food vendors suddenly assembled in a small park across the street. Alerted by the unusual display and used to frequent protests, members of the NYPD took up positions to protect the building if necessary.
The tension was cut when the "vendors" popped open their pushcarts to reveal hundreds of pieces of chicken – free chicken. Free KFC "grilled" chicken.
The sudden food fest was the launch of a new public relations campaign by KFC's parent company, Yum Brands, to push its "grilled" line of poultry that debuted nationally last spring.
During May's event, riots broke out at KFC outlets when a free grilled-chicken coupon on Oprah's website overwhelmed the chain, causing some stores to run out of the product.
"Obviously, we had to deal with some tough stuff," KFC President Roger Eaton said.
While Thursday's promotion offered free chicken to passers-by – which an actor dressed as Colonel Sanders labelled "UN-fried" for U.N. staffers – KFC had higher ambitions.
For its humorous campaign, Yum Brands had earlier sent a letter to U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon demanding KFC's "Grilled Nation" be given a seat in the General Assembly, citing the 60 million plus people that have tried KFC's Kentucky Grilled Chicken.
As crowds converged on the giveaway, the "Colonel," played by actor Robert Thompson and joined by a small entourage, crossed First Ave. and entered the United Nations headquarters.
Despite high levels of security at the building, the "Colonel," looking like a visiting VIP, was waved through the visitor's entrance post at 46th and First and various checkpoints that followed.
Unstopped, the "Colonel" walked through the building, waving to stunned tourists. At one point, he entered the General Assembly hall – not in session – where he ascended the same podium used by President Barack Obama last month to address the body.
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| "Colonel" with General Assembly president |
The "Grilled Nation" delegation began to draw attention, including that of General Assembly President Ali Treki of Libya, who greeted the American "Colonel" and posed for a photograph with the "distinguished" guest.
Led by a U.N. Security officer, the "Colonel" was escorted through the diplomatic hall to the U.N. Security Council, which was meeting in closed consultations.
Seeing a press stakeout and pool TV camera just outside the Council, the "Colonel" walked over to address the media, telling them he was there to "demand" Ban Ki-moon admit "Grilled Nation" to the family of nations in the General Assembly.
"We have over 60 million followers," barked the Colonel, insisting those 60 million had voices that needed to be heard.
"It was wild, I looked at the monitor and couldn't believe what I saw," said a technician from UNTV which televised the impromptu address.
Eventually, U.N. Security's control room became aware the visiting dignitary was part of a publicity stunt and quickly dispatched officers to investigate. The "Colonel" was briefly taken into custody and escorted from U.N. headquarters.
Officials have not said if they will pursue tresspassing charges after the security breach.
U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the organization was "looking at all aspects of the incident and deciding how to respond."
He added the U.N. traditionally frowns on any commercial ties, calling such actions "inappropriate."
"It was not one of our finest hours," confessed Mark Hoffman, a veteran captain on the security force.