Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE83255
2009-08-11 14:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

RENTAL ARREARS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE

Tags:  CG OFDP PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0005
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3255 2231459
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 111442Z AUG 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA IMMEDIATE 0125
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 7279
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

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