Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK580
2008-06-30 21:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:
ALGERIA COMPLAINS TO UN COMMITTEE OVER AIRPORT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 RR RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #0580 1822120 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 302120Z JUN 08 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4528 INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 1633
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
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
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