ALGERIA COMPLAINS TO UN COMMITTEE OVER AIRPORT

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000580 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/UNP, CA/VO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP PREL AG UN SUBJECT: ALGERIA COMPLAINS TO UN COMMITTEE OVER AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKS ¶1. This is an action request for the Department - please see paragraph 2. ¶2. Youcef Yousfi, Algeria's Ambassador to the UN, has written the Chairman of the UN's Committee on Relations with the Host Country to complain that Algerian diplomats accredited to the UN are singled out for additional security checks on departure from U.S. airports. The letter is sure to be followed by an intervention by Algeria at the next meeting of the Committee, now currently scheduled for July ¶24. USUN requests guidance for use in the Committee as necessary. Unofficial USUN translation of the French language note follows. ¶3. Begin text: Excellency, I have the honor to bring to your attention, in your capacity as Chairman on the Committee on Relations with the Host Country, the following facts. Algerian diplomats holding G-1 visas are, when leaving United States airports for travel abroad, subjected to distinctive treatment incompatible with their diplomatic status and privileges defined by international law. Unlike other diplomats accredited to the United Nations, Algerian diplomats' boarding cards and baggage checks are marked with the code SSSS. This distinguishes them from other passengers and makes them subject to increased body and baggage checks. It is not the intention of the Permanent Mission of Algeria to interfere with the security measures put into place by the competent airport authorities of the host country to ensure the safety of passengers and airport facilities. However the Mission stands against any method of singling out Algerian diplomats by this kind of treatment, from which their colleagues at other Missions to the UN are exempt, as are diplomats of the host country accredited to Algeria. We hope, through you, to get clarification from the host country authorities as well as a prompt end to these discriminatory measures. End text. Khalilzad