SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS FOR GENERAL DEBATE DISCUSSED U.S. AGENCIES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE
Press Release
HQ/598
SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS FOR GENERAL DEBATE DISCUSSED U.S. AGENCIES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE
19990915UN Security Service to Meet with Delegations
Delegations were assured this morning that everything would be done to minimize disruptions during the fifty-fourth General Assembly session as the Committee on Relations with the Host Country met to discuss security arrangements for the general debate.
The representative of the United States said the Secretariat had specifically requested, under the Headquarters Agreement, the assistance of host country law enforcement agencies to provide a secure environment for the many Heads of State and Government who would be in New York during the Assemblys general debate, which begins next week. Local and federal security services were taking steps to ensure the safety of individuals and motorcades, in line with the United States obligations under international law.
Michael McCann, Chief of the United Nations Security and Safety Service, said that 65 Heads of State and Government were expected and that everything would be done to make things reasonable and comfortable for delegations. A meeting would be held on Friday, 17 September, to discuss the security arrangements further.
A number of representatives, while welcoming the arrangements made, said missions should have been advised about them much earlier.
Statements were also made by the representatives of the Russian Federation, Costa Rica, United Kingdom and Mali, and by a representative of the New York City Commission for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol.
Representatives of the Republic of Korea and Ukraine participated in the meeting as observers.
The next meeting of the Committee will be announced in the Journal.
Statements
BETTY E. KING (United States) said that the Secretariat had specifically requested the assistance of the host country law enforcement agencies, particularly
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the United States Secret Service and the New York City Police Department, to provide a secure environment for the many Heads of State and Government who would be in New York during the general debate.
She said the United Nations had requested that those law enforcement agencies, once the United Nations garage had been emptied and searched, ensure that the only vehicles coming into the United Nations complex next week were either inspected before entering the garage, or had been previously cleared by those agencies to use the 43rd Street entrance as part of protected motorcades.
The Organization believed that those special security measures were necessary and appropriate, despite the complications they might cause for access to the Headquarters district, she said. The United States, consistent with its obligations under the Host Country Agreement, was prepared to support the Organization's request.
She said that many Member States were also concerned over the security of their Heads of State and Government while in New York and had consequently asked the Secret Service to arrange protective details, including secure motorcades for their high-level delegations. Other Member States, with chiefs of delegation below the level of Head of State or Government, had asked the United States Diplomatic Security Service to provide protection and motorcades. The security services had agreed to do so, in line with the United States obligations under the Headquarters Agreement and other applicable treaties and conventions.
To minimize inconvenience and delays, she said, the Host Country Mission had suggested -- and in some cases instituted -- procedures designed to promote freedom of movement. Those procedures had been set out in a circular note verbale to be sent by the United States Mission in the next day or two.
Other measures had been taken by the Organization itself, including provisions to replenish the automated teller machines in the United Nations complex, as that had been a particular concern of some delegations last year. Those issues would also be discussed at a meeting to be chaired by the United Nations Security and Safety Service later this week. Urging all delegations to participate in that session, she expressed alarm that only 15 delegations had attended a similar meeting last week.
She said the Host Country hoped to meet its obligations to the Organization and other Member States with a minimum of disruption to all. Officers from both the United States Mission and United Nations Protocol and Security Services would be available in the vicinity of the Headquarters complex to assist the movements of delegations and Secretariat staff as far as possible.
ALEXANDRE ZMEEVSKI (Russian Federation) said his delegation wanted the information on security arrangements to be provided today or tomorrow. If the information were received late, it would be difficult to resolve questions that might arise. There were already signs that hitches were cropping up. As had happened last year, the Russian delegation had not been notified of the security meeting referred to by the representative of the United States. That information should be circulated in good time.
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Ms. KING (United States) said the information was being printed even as the meeting was going on. Notice of the security meeting had been published in the Journal for a week before the event.
EMILIA CASTRO DE BARISH (Costa Rica), Rapporteur, thanked the representative of the United States for the information and apologized for her delegations absence from the meeting. She had been away from New York.
SUSAN DICKSON (United Kingdom) asked what could be done to facilitate ambassadors access to the United Nations compound to attend the Security Council. Could they not enter through the 43rd Street garage?
MICHAEL MCCANN, Chief of the United Nations Security and Safety Service, said three days' notice had been provided for a meeting on security arrangements that had taken place last Friday. Another meeting had been scheduled for next Friday, 17 September. The Security and Safety Service office would be open 24 hours for the next few days to respond to delegations' questions. He said First Avenue would be closed during business hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. The only way to get into the United Nations complex would be through the garage.
BRADFORD BILLET, Deputy New York City Commissioner for the United Nations, Consular Corps and Protocol, drew attention to the 24-hour phone numbers for his office and for the New York Police Department. Assistance teams of the United States, United Nations and other security services could be located on 45th Street and First Avenue and on 45th Street and Second Avenue. Parking would be available until 3 October for diplomatic vehicles, between 50th and 56th Streets.
MOCTAR OUANE (Mali) said his delegation had not known of the security arrangements in advance. He said some delegations were having problems with Headquarters security personnel over the use of laissez-passers. That was embarrassing for delegations accompanying their Heads of State or Government into Headquarters. The Mali delegation would like advance information about security arrangements in future.
JOHN HOLMES (Canada), Acting Chairman of the Committee, said that more advance notice on security arrangements would perhaps be provided in time for next years session.
Mr. MCCANN, Chief of the United Nations Security and Safety Service, said arrangements were being made for a bigger room for next Fridays meeting. Representatives of all the relevant security agencies would be present to respond to delegations' questions. Interested delegations would be walked through the arrangement.
He said 65 Heads of State and Government were expected to attend the general debates and that more than 100 delegations would be represented at ministerial level. Offices would be set up at 46th Street on Second Avenue and at 48th on First Avenue to help any delegation having difficulties. Delegations with problems could also go to the identification office at the corner of 45th and First Avenue.
Mr. ZMEEVSKI (Russian Federation) said that the information from the Security Chief and the New York City Commission official should be put on paper and sent to missions as soon as possible.
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