New dogged security - at cut-price rates - unleashed at UN

It was Dog Day Afternoon at the United Nations regular press briefing today when three new members of the world body's security staff were introduced to the international media - bomb-sniffing canines who will help save not only lives but money.

"Finally, as we get ready for the usual security nightmare of the General Assembly, we wanted to introduce you to three new members of our security staff," spokesman Fred Eckhard said some 10 minutes after noon as he vacated the podium to Scout, Jet and Candy - and, incidentally, their handlers.

Over the past couple of years the bomb-sniffing dogs at the UN were contracted out from a private company at considerable expense, in fact becoming known as "Assistant Secretary-General dogs" in light of their high salaries.

Now, thanks to the efforts of the United States Mission and the donor generosity of the New York State Police, the UN Safety and Security service will eventually have six of its own bomb-sniffing dogs. In terms of cost, for much less than half the $360,000 paid yearly to a private contractor to provide two dogs and handlers, the UN will now be able to operate up to eight canine teams.

Scout, Jet and Candy took up their positions with doggy assurance, gazing over the assembled hacks with imperial disdain but declining to bark through the open microphone.