RENTAL ARREARS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE

UNCLAS STATE 083255 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CG OFDP PREL SUBJECT: RENTAL ARREARS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS REF: A. USUN264 ¶B. SECSTATE 125526 ¶C. USUN00548 ¶D. USUN745 ¶1. This is an action message. Please see paras 3 and 4. ¶2. Department has learned from USUN that the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations (DRCMUN) owes $90,674.20 to Vornado Realty Trust in New York City. The debt is for rent and associated charges for office space leased at 866 UN Plaza. This latest complaint from Vornado illustrates a pattern that has continued for years in which DRCMUN accumulates tens of thousands of dollars in rental arrears requiring Department of State intervention for months before the debt is settled. Monthly rental payments are due by the first of each month and DRCMUN has not made a single payment so far in 2009. ¶3. Embassy is once again requested to make a demarche to the Government of the DRC to urge that funds are sent promptly to DRCMUN to settle this persistent problem in a responsible manner. ¶4. Talking points follow: -- The United States Government urges the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo once again to settle its overdue arrears of $90,674.20 with Vornado Realty Trust for its UN Mission in New York. -- The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo bears the full responsibility for providing sufficient funds to maintain all facets of its diplomatic presence at the United Nations in New York. -- We urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to give this matter serious attention and take the necessary steps to settle this entire debt and to pay monthly rent at its UN Mission's Offices as it has agreed to do in the lease. -- If the DRC is unable to meet its Mission's financial obligations in New York, the USG may be forced to consider measures to address this problem, including the possibility that its staffing should be reduced to a level that it can afford. CLINTON