ISSUE OF TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON MISSION PERSONNEL HIGHLIGHTED AS SIXTH COMMITTEE TAKES UP HOST COUNTRY COMMITTEE REPORT

Press Release
GA/L/2894

ISSUE OF TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON MISSION PERSONNEL HIGHLIGHTED AS SIXTH COMMITTEE TAKES UP HOST COUNTRY COMMITTEE REPORT

The disturbing problem of travel restrictions on personnel of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation still remained unresolved, the representative of that country told the Sixth Committee (Legal) this morning.

As the Committee completed its consideration of the Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country, he said that new political realities and changed relations between the United States and the Russian Federation should be taken into account.

The representative of Cuba also noted that travel restrictions remained in effect on the personnel of her mission.

The United States' representative said that the Host Country had place no restrictions on travel for official United Nations business. The issue was under discussion, and some changes might be addressed in the near future, she said.

The Committee also concluded its consideration of the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law this morning.

When the Sixth Committee (Legal) meets again at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning, 22 November, it is expected to take up the review of the role of the Trusteeship Council. It will also take action on a draft resolution on the Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country.

Committee Work Programme

The Sixth Committee (Legal) met this morning to conclude consideration of the question of the United Nations Programme of Assistance in Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Acceptance of International Law. The Programme was established by the General Assembly in 1965 and is closely related to the Decade of International Law (1990-1999), which also pursues, along with other goals, the encouragement of teaching, study, dissemination and wider appreciation of international law. (For background information, see press release GA/L/2892 of 17 November.)

The Committee was also expected to continue consideration of the report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country, which deals with the security of missions and their personnel, host country travel regulations, financial indebtedness of permanent missions and the use of motor vehicles. (For background information, see press release GA/L/2893.)

Statements on the Relations with the Host Country

SERGEI A. ORDZHONIKIDZE (Russian Federation) said the Committee on Relations with the Host Country was designed to ensure proper conditions for the effective work of the United Nations and the missions of States to it. The activities of the Committee were focused on specific practical measures based on mutual understanding and respect on the part of the host country and the Member States.

He supported the conclusions of the Committee and noted the work of the working group on financial indebtedness. Its recommendations could facilitate the creation of a favourable public opinion on the Organization and the missions accredited to it. He noted the positive changes in immigration and customs procedures and the fact that diplomatic lines for entry had been opened at some terminals of New York's JFK airport. However, such a line had not been established at the terminal where flights from Moscow arrived.

Still unresolved was a more disturbing problem of removal of remaining travel restrictions on personnel of the Russian Mission and the Russian personnel of the United Nations Secretariat, he continued. It was necessary to take account of the new political realities and the changed relations between the United States and the Russian Federation. He expected an efficient reaction on the part of the authorities of the host country. Some problems also remained in connection with the parking of diplomatic vehicles, and the Committee must step up its efforts in settling that complex and delicate matter.

In establishing conditions for the functioning of the United Nations and the mission, it was necessary to address the problems encountered during the visit of the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the commemorative meeting,

Sixth Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/L/2894 43rd Meeting (AM) 21 November 1995

which had led to real difficulties relating to access and moving around the United Nations Headquarters. It was necessary to work out appropriate recommendations to ensure that the protocol and security services would not interfere with normal day-to-day work.

CAROLYN L. WILLSON (United States) said her Government was honoured to have served as a host country to the United Nations for the past 50 years. That brought a number of commitments and obligations. The Committee was a valuable forum in discussing the issues of the presence of the international community in New York. She appreciated the cooperation and the constructive spirit displayed by the Committee and its members.

The greatest achievement in the past year had been the work on the indebtedness, she continued. Much thought and effort had gone into various recommendations of the report and the preparation of the draft resolution on it. A number of missions that had been experiencing financial difficulties had begun taking particular steps to pay off their debt. Once the debt problem began to recede, the members of the missions would find it easier to find apartments and receive services. Her country was also going to address the problem of parking diplomatic vehicles in the city.

Certain diplomatic travel controls had been established by the United States for security reasons, she continued. Since travel relating to official business was allowed, the obligation of the host country was met. Maintenance of travel controls was under discussion, and some changes might be addressed in the near future. Her country was pleased to have representatives of the international community in New York and hoped that their stay was pleasant and productive.

CARIDAD YAMIRA CUETO MILIAN (Cuba) said that her delegation had taken due note of the report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country. In the list of the official documents of that Committee, there had been included an 18 October 1995 letter from the United States to the Host Country Committee. Cuba had responded to that letter, noting that controls on the movements of the personnel of certain missions, including her own, were still in place. Cuba believed that it was not appropriate to include the Cuban letter in the documents of the Committee because the letter had been drafted after the conclusion of the meetings of the Host Country Committee.

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