UN building security fence around New York compound !

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Still reeling from the deadly attack on its Baghdad offices in August, the United Nations said it would begin building a new security fence around its New York headquarters.

A spokesman said workers would start construction Friday on the barrier, one of a series of planned measures around and inside the world body's famed East River compound.

The 21-million-dollar fence, which will be accompanied by an upgraded surveillance system along the perimeter, was designed by New York City officials and approved by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the spokesman said.  Annan has expressed concern about the United Nations becoming a target for attacks after incidents in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the August 19 suicide bombing of its Baghdad headquarters. That attack killed 22 people, most of them UN staff. Annan's envoy to the country, Sergio Vieira de Mello, was among the victims.