COMMITTEE ON RELATIONS WITH HOST COUNTRY BEGINS CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT REPORT

Press Release
HQ/568

COMMITTEE ON RELATIONS WITH HOST COUNTRY BEGINS CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT REPORT

As the Committee on Relations with the Host Country began consideration of its draft report to the General Assembly this afternoon, the chairman of its working group on indebtedness said that more than 1,000 individuals affiliated with 57 diplomatic missions would be willing to participate in a group health insurance scheme, according to the results of a questionnaire distributed by the Committee.

The working group chairman, Jorge Sanchez (Spain), said that the survey also indicated that the actual number of subscribers in such a plan might be somewhat higher, since the diplomatic community numbered as many as 5,000 individuals. The responses further indicated that many missions felt that the cost of existing coverage for small groups of employees was very high and a group plan serving the diplomatic corps would likely produce cost savings, better service and a wider choice of medical professionals and specialists.

The Committee's draft report, introduced by the rapporteur, Emilia Castro de Barish (Costa Rica), requests the host country to take the measures necessary to ensure that diplomats were exempt from sales taxes throughout the United States. It also deals with such matters as: security of missions and the safety of their personnel; issues arising in connection with the implementation of the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States Regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations; and the responsibilities of permanent missions, particularly the problem of financial indebtedness, transportation, parking and related matters.

In discussing the report, representatives addressed the travel restrictions established by the host country over personnel from certain missions, the application of New York City parking regulations to diplomats, and acts of violence against certain missions.

Statements on the draft report were made by the representatives of the Russian Federation, United States, Cuba, China, United Kingdom, Cyprus, France and Cote d'Ivoire.

The Committee will meet again at a date to be announced to adopt its report, which will then be submitted to the Sixth Committee (Legal).

Report of the Committee

The draft report (A/AC.154/1996/CRP.1 and CRP.2), among other recommendations, urges the host country to accelerate immigration and customs procedures for diplomatic personnel arriving in New York City, in keeping with international agreements. The host country is also urged to resolve the problem of the parking of diplomatic vehicles and to respond to the growing needs of the diplomatic community.

The Committee recommends a system-wide approach to the resolution of the problem of diplomatic indebtedness, noting that the issue had also arisen in other host cities. It states that the question had tarnished the image of the United Nations and its Members in New York, and impaired the ability of some missions and diplomats to obtain services and suitable accommodations.

As did last year's report, it further recommends that permanent missions, their personnel and Secretariat staff meet their financial obligations promptly and in full. The Committee also recommends that its working group continue its own efforts, in cooperation with all interested parties, to monitor progress and to develop solutions to the problem.

Finally, in a "bracketed" paragraph, not yet in final form, the Committee urges the host country to remove as soon as possible travel restrictions on personnel of certain missions and Secretariat staff members of certain nationalities. The Committee also reiterates its appreciation to the host country section of the United States Mission and to the local entities for their efforts to help accommodate the needs, interests and requirements of the diplomatic community and to promote mutual understanding between the diplomatic community and the people of the City of New York.

Statements on Draft Report

SERGUEI KAREV (Russian Federation) said that his delegation had proposed several amendments to the draft report regarding travel restrictions established by the host country over mission and Secretariat personnel from certain countries. He regretted that no steps had been taken to implement General Assembly resolutions on that topic. The host country should rescind those limitations, which were not in keeping with international practice and present-day realities.

BOB MOLLER (United States) said that the representative of the Russian Federation had chosen an inopportune time to raise his questions. The host country had always tried to respond to the concerns of United Nations Member States. Those controls had been put into place to address the national security concerns of the United States. If anyone thought that the host country was in violation of its treaty obligations under the Headquarters Agreement, they should say so. The United States had never violated the rights and privileges of diplomats, nor had it hampered the functioning of any diplomatic mission.

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Regarding parking, he said that the City of New York had a right to enact such legislation as it thought appropriate. The United States rejected the view of diplomats who chose not to pay parking meters in the belief that parking meters constituted a tax. The tax-exemption card system worked quite well in a majority of the states of the United States, he said.

YAMIRA CUETO MILIAN (Cuba) said that the host country regulations should allow missions to function and that difficulties should be resolved in a spirit of cooperation and be consistent with international law. Cuba's Mission had endured acts of violence directed against its diplomats. Any act which violated the safety and dignity of mission personnel should be prohibited. She hoped that the host country would listen to the General Assembly request that it remove travel restrictions placed on the personnel of diplomatic missions. The host country should take all necessary measures to ensure that diplomatic privileges provided for under international law were closely adhered to.

ZHANG KENING (China) said that the personnel of his mission were diplomats posted to an international organization -- not to the United States. As a member of the United Nations, China's mission should enjoy the same treatment as those of other Member States. Restrictions placed on the permanent mission of China and other States were discriminatory. The Committee should urge the host country to remove those restrictions.

The representatives of the United Kingdom, Cyprus, France and Côte d'Ivoire also participated in an exchange of views on the "bracketed" paragraph on travel restrictions.

Working Group Report

In introducing the working group report, Jorge Sanchez (Spain), said that 57 missions had replied to a health care questionnaire circulated by the Committee. Those missions indicated that a total of 1,465 individuals affiliated with them might be prepared to participate in a group health insurance plan, should one be devised. The actual number of subscribers in such a plan might be somewhat higher, he said, as the New York diplomatic community comprised a total of 5,000 individuals.

According to the survey, he said, missions would be willing to pay premiums of up to $100 per month or $200 per family per month, depending on coverage. Most missions would be willing to pay those premiums on behalf of their employees. The Chairman then advised Committee members that the full text of his remarks on the survey would be issued by the Secretariat as a press release, for perusal by interested providers of health care services.

Others Matters

Also before the Committee was a letter from Greece (document A/AC.154/299), which drew attention to a "serious problem provoked by the removal of the signs providing parking space" for the Mission's diplomatic vehicles. The letter stated that after being contacted by the Greek Mission,

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the New York City Commission for the United Nations and Consular Corps responded that the city had provided them parking spaces for two cars. However, the letter says that those parking spaces were currently shared by four other missions. Describing the situation as "discriminatory", the Greek letter states that matters had remained unchanged for two months despite their letters to the Commissioner.

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