UN HOST COUNTRY COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 31, 2007

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000975 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT. FOR IO/UNP - S EDMONDSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP UN SUBJECT: UN HOST COUNTRY COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 31, 2007 ¶1. Summary: At its 235th meeting on October 31, 2007, the 19-member UN Committee on Relations with the Host Country adopted the annual draft Report of the Committee summarizing Committee meetings during the previous year and including recommendations and conclusions. USUN Minister-Counselor for Host Country Affairs represented the United States. Only three non-Committee member states, Belarus, Syria, and Portugal, participated as observers. Russia raised the issues of gasoline tax exemptions for diplomats and the recent change in the free parking policy for diplomats at JFK airport. End summary. Consideration and adoption of the Report of the Committee -------------- -------------- ¶2. The Rapporteur of the Committee, Ana Marcela Calderon (Costa Rica) introduced the report, and Polly Ioannou (Cyprus),the facilitator of the negotiations, reported on the consultations regarding the text, noting changes made during the negotiations. The Committee adopted the report, which will be submitted to the Sixth Committee on November 12, 2007 and then forwarded to the General Assembly. Russia questions gasoline tax and JFK parking fees -------------- -------------- ¶3. The Russian Federation raised the issue of gasoline tax exemptions for diplomats, which Italy had raised at the previous Committee meeting. The Russian MUN had received its first bill and reported that taxes were being levied. Russia argued that this policy was contrary to the tax exempt status enjoyed by diplomats under international law, and requested that the Host Country ensure that New York authorities comply with the relevant treaty provisions. ¶4. The Russians also complained that authorities at JFK airport had started collecting parking fees from diplomatic vehicles without giving notice of the change in policy to UN Missions. Russia argued that the change negatively affected the functioning of its Mission, and was especially undesirable since diplomatic vehicles are exempt from such fees in Moscow. Russia called on the Host Country to provide further information as it becomes available. ¶5. USUN Minister-Counselor informed the Committee that the Host Country agreed that the failure to exempt diplomats from the gasoline tax is inconsistent with international treaties. He further informed the Committee that the State of New York still recognizes the exemption, and that gasoline companies' misinterpretation of a recent decision by New York's highest court had caused a change in the manner in which an exemption can be obtained. The decision made it illegal for third parties (the gasoline companies) to request a tax exemption for an individual or party. The diplomats must now request this exemption themselves. The Office of Foreign Missions has been informed by NY State authorities that the legislation needed to resolve the problem should pass during the next special session of the New York State Assembly. All exemption practices are then expected to revert to normal after the Governor of New York signs the legislation. In the interim diplomats should save relevant records in order to claim reimbursement. ¶6. Regarding airport parking, USUN Minister-Counselor explained that the United States Mission was aware of neither the JFK policy to exempt diplomats from parking fees nor the subsequent change in that policy until recently. Initial conversations with the Port Authority suggested that JFK airport has had a provision in place for years authorizing the exemption of parking fees for Ambassadors, Counsuls-General, Heads of State, and others of similarly high rank. USUN Minister-Counselor called on affected member states to provide USUN with as much information as possible regarding areas in the airport where fees were now being charged and were not previously. USUN Minister-Counselor also cautioned the Committee that since the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is not a federal agency, USUN's power to act on this matter may be limited. More information on this issue will be provided to the Committee when available. Next Committee Meeting -------------- ¶7. The next Host Country Committee meeting will be scheduled for early January. Khalilzad