HOST COUNTRY COMMITTEE APPROVES ANNUAL REPORT

Committee on Relations

with Host Country

209^th Meeting (PM)

HOST COUNTRY COMMITTEE APPROVES ANNUAL REPORT

The Committee on Relations with the Host Country this afternoon approved its annual report, by which the General Assembly would extend its deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the terrorist attacks on the host city and country on 11 September.

By other provisions of the report (document A/56/26), which was adopted as orally revised, the Assembly would also express gratitude for rescue and recovery efforts by local, state and federal authorities, as well as solidarity with the people and Government of the United States.  It would express the hope that all those responsible for the massive death and destruction would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

Further provisions of the report would convey the Assembly’s appreciation for the efforts of the host country to maintain appropriate work conditions for delegations and missions accredited to the United Nations along with the observance of their privileges and immunities, which is of great importance to them.  It would anticipate that all issues raised in that regard would be duly settled in a spirit of cooperation and in accordance with international law.

In that regard, the Assembly would note the efforts, and anticipate further cooperation, on security, parking and timely issuance of entry visas for representatives of Member States.  It would continue to urge the host country to remove the remaining travel restrictions, as soon as possible, on personnel of certain missions and staff members of certain nationalities. 

The Assembly would also stress the importance of permanent missions and their personnel meeting their financial obligations.  Such obligations would be underlined for Secretariat personnel, as well.

The report, finally, reiterates the Committee’s appreciation to the United States Mission and to all local entities that contribute to its efforts to accommodate the needs, interests and requirements of the diplomatic community.

Emilia Castro de Barrish (Costa Rica), Rapporteur of the Committee, introduced the four-chapter draft, saying it contained two annexes listing topics for consideration by the Committee and documents circulated during the reporting period.

Prior to approval of the report, the representative of Cuba presented his country’s case against the court-ordered freezing of its Mission’s bank account in New York.  The only fair and honourable way to resolve the matter, he said, was to lift the order.  He said the bank accounts were covered by clauses contained in diplomatic conventions in Vienna and in Headquarters agreements.  The order of seizure implied a disruption of the proper functioning of the Cuban Mission and a violation of its privileges and immunities.

The Cuban Mission had refrained from taking any steps relating to the matter between 11 September and 15 October as a diplomatic gesture to give the host country authorities all the time they needed, since they were fully involved in dealing with the events of 11 September.  Cuba was pleased with the response contained in a letter received this afternoon from the United States Mission.

Responding, the representative of the United States said the situation had been explained and was well known.  Reading the text of a letter rejecting the Cuban Mission's claims that its privileges and immunities were being violated, he said the restraining order on the bank accounts had already been deemed invalid and the account remained valid and useable.

All measures were being taken to ensure that privileges and immunities of diplomatic accounts would be respected, he said.  The invalid restraining order was on the Chase bank and not on the Mission, in any case.  There seemed to be an effort to politicize the issue in years past, and it was hoped that would no longer be the case.  The legalistic aspects could be pursued further in the Sixth Committee (Legal), he added.

Also speaking this afternoon were the representatives of Iraq, Cyprus and Malaysia.

The Committee on Relations with the Host Country was established in 1971 to deal with the security of diplomatic missions accredited to the United Nations, the safety of their personnel and the responsibilities of delegations.

* *** *