SOMALIA UN AMB RESIDENCE

UNCLAS STATE 082138 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP PREL SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA UN AMB RESIDENCE REF: USUN 611 ¶1. This is an action request. Please see para 2. ¶2. Reftel reports the request of the city of New Rochelle, New York (CNR) to &lift immunity8 from a dilapidated property owned by the Government of Somalia to mitigate public safety hazards on the premises. In view of previous unsuccessful attempts to persuade GOS to make repairs, Mission should advise the Permanent Mission of Somalia to the UN to execute a limited waiver of inviolability for the purpose of allowing CNR to make necessary repairs to mitigate health and safety hazards on the property. If the Somali Mission is unable to provide such a waiver, Department will revisit the diplomatic status of the property, including its inviolability and exemption from property taxes. Begin text of note: The United States Mission to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Permanent Mission of Somalia to the United Nations and has the honor to inform the Permanent Mission that it has received an urgent request from the City of New Rochelle to address the public safety hazards at the former Somali Permrep residence at 250 Elk Avenue, New Rochelle. As the Permanent Mission is undoubtedly aware, the grounds are in disrepair and have attracted considerable negative attention from local residents, government officials, and the media. Most recently, trespassers broke into the unsecured property on June 29. The City of New Rochelle's Buildings Department has issued several citations to the Permanent Mission for hazards related to broken windows, broken doors, an unsecured house and pool area, vegetation overgrowth, and an abandoned vehicle on the premises. The deadline of 10 days from the June 25 issuance of these citations has passed, and these hazards must now be remedied on an urgent basis. If the Permanent Mission is unable to secure these areas, the United States Mission requests that the Permanent Mission formally waive the inviolability of the property for the sole purpose of allowing the City of New Rochelle to enter and make necessary repairs to mitigate existing health and safety hazards. The City will then send an abatement bill to the Permanent Mission for the cost of the repairs, which the Mission is urged to pay promptly. If the Permanent Mission is unable to provide such a waiver within 30 days from the date this note is delivered, the United States Mission will have to reconsider the diplomatic status of the property, including its inviolability and exemption from property taxes. Complimentary close. End text. RICE