MULTIPLE ENTRY VISAS FOR LIBYANS IN INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000717

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO/UNP, CA/VO AND NEA/FO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP CVIS PREL AU UN
SUBJECT: MULTIPLE ENTRY VISAS FOR LIBYANS IN INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS


1. USUN has received a note verbale from the African Union
Observer Mission to the UN requesting a Libyan employee of
that office be granted a multiple entry visa instead of the
single entry visa given to Libyan G-4 applicants as mandated
by the reciprocity schedule. (Text of AU note appears in
paragraph 2 below.) This note follows a similar request from
Saadun Suayeh, a UN staff member of Libyan nationality who
reported to USUN in April 2008 that he had approached NEA
PDAS Feltman on the same issue. USUN has been unable to
explain to the IOs involved why Libyans G1 applicants get
multiple entry visas valid for 12 months, while G4 applicants
are limited to single entries. The sponsoring organizations
emphasize that single entry visas make it difficult for the
employees to discharge their official functions. USUN
requests that the Department explore the possibility of
amending the reciprocity schedule to permit issuance of
multiple entry visas.


2. Begin text of July 14 note from the African Union
Observer Mission; (complimentary salutation)... and wishes
to make a special case as regards issuance of G4 visa
multiple entries (sic) for the benefit of Mr. Saleem Matug,
Special Adviser (Political Affairs) at the Permanent Observer
Mission of the African Union to the UN.
Mr. Matug a Libyan national, holder of regular passport
number 795304 is called upon to travel frequently and attends
Heads of State and of Government Assemblies to the African
Continent and to other meetings in Africa in different places.
In order to facilitate his movement and therefore in carrying
out efficiently the duties assigned to him, the Permanent
Observer Mission wishes to request that Mr. Salem Matug be
exceptionally issued with G4 multiple entry visas (sic).
(Complimentary close) End text.
RICE