COMMITTEE ON RELATIONS WITH HOST COUNTRY APPROVES ANNUAL REPORT

Committee on Relations

with Host Country

214^th Meeting (PM)

COMMITTEE ON RELATIONS WITH HOST COUNTRY APPROVES ANNUAL REPORT

Travel, Banking Restrictions, New York City

Diplomatic Parking Programme Among Issues Covered

The Committee on Relations with the Host Country this afternoon approved its annual report, reiterating its appreciation to the United States Mission, as well as to the New York City Commission for the United Nations, for their efforts to accommodate the needs, interests and requirements of the diplomatic community.

By other provisions of the report, adopted as orally revised, the Committee noted that the observance of diplomatic privileges and immunities was of great importance.  It appreciated efforts made by the Host Country regarding security of Member States’ missions, and anticipated that the Host County would continue to take all measures necessary to prevent any interference with their functioning.

In further recommendations of the report, the Committee requested the Host Country to continue to bring to the attention of New York City officials reports from the diplomatic community about cases of discriminatory treatment of diplomats.  In regard to travel regulations concerning personnel of certain missions and Secretariat staff members of certain nationalities, the Committee continued to urge the Host Country to remove remaining restrictions as soon as possible.

By a revision read out during the proceedings, the Committee also took note of legal opinions on the “Parking Programme for Diplomatic Vehicles”, and the fact that most speakers on the issue in a 15 October meeting had requested deferral of implementation of the programme.

Emilia Castro de Barish (Costa Rica), Rapporteur of the Committee, introduced the four chapters and two annexes of the draft report.  Constantine Moushoutas (Cyprus) described the process of reaching consensus on its recommendations and conclusions.

Among other matters discussed this afternoon, Cuba’s representative said her country had been informed that J.P.Morgan/Chase Bank could not complete certain banking transactions, such as payments to the United Nations, as a result of economic sanctions on Cuba.  She asked the United States Mission to take measures to restore the normal flow of transaction from banks in Cuba.

The representative of the United States answered that appropriate steps would be taken to address the issue.  The problem seemed to have been a human error on the part of somebody in the banking system.

Spain’s representative said that personal belongings of a diplomat had recently been X-rayed by Host Country authorities, despite the fact that sufficient information about the contents of the container had been provided.  He pointed out that such “random inspections” should not be invoked as a waiver of responsibilities under Article 33 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Also speaking today, concerning revisions to the draft report, were the representatives of Libya and Côte d’Ivoire.

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.

The next meeting of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country will meet at a date to be announced.

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