Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK914
2009-10-15 14:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:
RESOLVED DEBT: PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC
how-toVZCZCXRO0922 RR RUEHBZ DE RUCNDT #0914 2881424 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 151424Z OCT 09 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7352 INFO RUEHBZ/AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000914
SIPDIS
IO/UNP FOR S. EDMONDSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP PREL CF
SUBJECT: RESOLVED DEBT: PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000914
SIPDIS
IO/UNP FOR S. EDMONDSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP PREL CF
SUBJECT: RESOLVED DEBT: PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1. USUN received a request from the New York City Commission
for the UN to assist company Connections Unlimited in
recovering $82,299.78 for services it provided the Republic
of the Congo (GOC) for an ecotourism event on September 1,
2006. NYCC's legal counsel has worked since October 2007 to
facilitate payment of the commercial debt, which the GOC has
since acknowledged it owes. The contract for "The Congo
Forest: Heritage of Humanity" was signed by Congolese
Minister of Forestry Economy, Henri Djombo, and $230,567.97
of the total bill of $285,618.00 was paid by October 2006.
The remaining balance, as of July 2009, includes 1.5%
interest, per the contract.
2. USUN/HC Minister Counselor Graham met with Ambassador Bale
on September 15, 2009, in advance of the arrival of his
high-level delegation to the 64th UNGA. USUN/HC MINCOUNS
advised AMB Bale that the US Mission takes such outstanding
debt seriously since it raises the issue of a mission's
ability to support its activities in NY. He warned that the
host country might have to consider whether actions such as
reducing the staffing level at the Republic of Congo Mission
to the UN are appropriate to assist the mission in fulfilling
its financial obligations.
3. Ambassador Bale said that he has been working hard to
resolve the matter and had raised the issue in his capital on
a recent trip. He assured USUN/HC MINCOUNS that he expected
a prompt resolution upon the GOC President's arrival in NY
(Comment: President Sassou-Nguesso was in NY 9/21/09 through
9/25/09 but Mission did not contact USUN/HC or Connections
Unlimited).
4. On October 6, 2009, USUN/HC facilitated a meeting between
Ambassador Bale and Christine Waterbury, owner of Connections
Unlimited. The Ambassador presented Ms. Waterbury with a
check for $82,299.78 and expressed his regrets for the length
of time it took to resolve the debt. Ms. Waterbury accepted
his apologies and thanked the mission for bringing the matter
to a close. Ms. Waterbury informed USUN/HC, on October 13,
that the funds are in her account.
RICE
SIPDIS
IO/UNP FOR S. EDMONDSON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP PREL CF
SUBJECT: RESOLVED DEBT: PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE)
1. USUN received a request from the New York City Commission
for the UN to assist company Connections Unlimited in
recovering $82,299.78 for services it provided the Republic
of the Congo (GOC) for an ecotourism event on September 1,
2006. NYCC's legal counsel has worked since October 2007 to
facilitate payment of the commercial debt, which the GOC has
since acknowledged it owes. The contract for "The Congo
Forest: Heritage of Humanity" was signed by Congolese
Minister of Forestry Economy, Henri Djombo, and $230,567.97
of the total bill of $285,618.00 was paid by October 2006.
The remaining balance, as of July 2009, includes 1.5%
interest, per the contract.
2. USUN/HC Minister Counselor Graham met with Ambassador Bale
on September 15, 2009, in advance of the arrival of his
high-level delegation to the 64th UNGA. USUN/HC MINCOUNS
advised AMB Bale that the US Mission takes such outstanding
debt seriously since it raises the issue of a mission's
ability to support its activities in NY. He warned that the
host country might have to consider whether actions such as
reducing the staffing level at the Republic of Congo Mission
to the UN are appropriate to assist the mission in fulfilling
its financial obligations.
3. Ambassador Bale said that he has been working hard to
resolve the matter and had raised the issue in his capital on
a recent trip. He assured USUN/HC MINCOUNS that he expected
a prompt resolution upon the GOC President's arrival in NY
(Comment: President Sassou-Nguesso was in NY 9/21/09 through
9/25/09 but Mission did not contact USUN/HC or Connections
Unlimited).
4. On October 6, 2009, USUN/HC facilitated a meeting between
Ambassador Bale and Christine Waterbury, owner of Connections
Unlimited. The Ambassador presented Ms. Waterbury with a
check for $82,299.78 and expressed his regrets for the length
of time it took to resolve the debt. Ms. Waterbury accepted
his apologies and thanked the mission for bringing the matter
to a close. Ms. Waterbury informed USUN/HC, on October 13,
that the funds are in her account.
RICE