SOMALI UN MISSION: WAIVER RECIEVED FOR REPAIRS TO

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000698 SIPDIS IO/ UNP: S. EDMONDSON; L/DL: S. BENDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP PREL SO SUBJECT: SOMALI UN MISSION: WAIVER RECIEVED FOR REPAIRS TO RESIDENCE REF: A. SECSTATE 63400 ¶B. SECSTATE 108124 ¶C. USUN NEW YORK 0026. ¶1. On July 14, USUN/HC Minister Counselor met with Somali Permanent Representative Duale and his deputy re the official residence at 250 Elk Avenue in New Rochelle, New York. He presented AMB Duale with note verbale HC-67-09 (text in para 2),which requested a waiver to enable DOS to oversee repairs to the residence using money held in escrow from the 1995 sale of the former Ambassador's residence in Washington. Both AMB Duale and the DPR offered their sincere gratitude to the USG. AMB Duale agreed to send over a note waiving the property's inviolability (text in para 3). AMB Duale assigned DPR Mohamed as the Somali Mission's point person for the project. 2.Begin text of USUN note: Complimentary salutation "... and takes this opportunity to advise the Permanent Mission that property owned by Somalia at 250 Elk Avenue in New Rochelle, New York is in urgent need of structural repair. In an effort to facilitate the improvement of the property, the United States Mission requests that the Permanent Mission execute a written waiver of the property's inviolability to enable the Department of State to take such steps as it deems necessary to repair the property (including the interior and exterior of the residence and the grounds) so that it will conform to all relevant codes and neighborhood standards. The United States is undertaking this to preserve the property on behalf of the Republic of Somalia. As the Permanent Mission is aware, the United States maintains an account in escrow for the Republic of Somalia with funds from the 1995 sale of the former residence of the Somalia Ambassador to the United States. The United States is prepared to use these funds to repair the property as expeditiously as possible. The United States Mission requests that this waiver be presented no later than five days from the date of receipt of this note. The United States Mission will, when possible, consult with a designated member of the Permanent Mission on the progress of the project. Upon its completion, the Permanent Mission of the Somali Republic will be informed that it may use the property as the Residence of the Permanent Representative." Complimentary closing. ¶3. On July 15, 2009, USUN received the requested waiver from the Somali Mission. Begin text of Somali Note SOM/MSS/147/09: Complimentary salutation "...and has the honour to refer to the Note Verbale HC-67-09, dated July 14, 2009, in respect of the property owned by Somalia at 250 Elk Avenue in New Rochelle, New York, which is in urgent need of structural repair. The Permanent Mission of the Somali Republic to United Nations appreciates the offer by the United States Department of State to take all necessary steps to repair the property (including the interior and exterior of the residence and the grounds) so that it will conform to all relevant codes and neighborhood standards, as expeditiously as possible. Fully cognizant that the United States is using the account maintained by the United States in escrow for the Republic of Somalia from the 1995 sale of the former residence of the Somalia Ambassador to the United States. Towards this end, the Permanent Mission of the Somali Republic to the United Nations has the honour to grant as requested, waiver of the property's inviolability to enable the Department of State to execute the needed repairs, after which the property shall be used as the residence of the Permanent Representative. In this connection, Mr. Idd Beddel Mohamed, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Somali Republic to the United Nations is designated on the progress of the project." Complimentary closing. RICE