CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by the delegation of Cuba on agenda item 161: Report of the Committee on relations with the host country. New York, 11 November 2010.

 

Madam Chairman,
The delegation of Cuba thanks H.E. Mr. Minas Hadjimichael for his presentation of Report A­/65/26 of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country, in his capacity as Chairman. Likewise, we appreciate his successful work leading this important Committee, and reiterate once more our full support.
Madam Chairman,
Cuba, as member of the Committee on Relation with the Host Country, works for said Committee to respond, in a timely fashion, to all questions arising in connection with the relations among the Organization, Member States, and the Host Country. We reaffirm our commitment to continue collaborating in the improvement and effectiveness of the Committee’s work, through comprehensive processes of debates, consultations, negotiations and collaboration among its members, in which we favor the active participation of other States.
We also reaffirm the importance for the Host Country, in the carrying-out of its functions, to properly implement the relevant provisions of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, and the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations. We likewise support the continuous demand by the Committee on Relations with the Host Country that the United States implement the decisions and recommendations adopted in the framework of the Committee.
 
In the Report of the Committee, consideration is given to different aspects of special sensitivity for the effective functioning of missions and diplomats accredited to the United Nations, on which we consider important to make some comments.
Regarding the “Question of security of missions and safety of personnel”, we wish to highlight that, during this year, various incidents affected the normal development of the diplomatic activities of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations. Once more, we reiterate the importance for the Host Country to meet its international obligations and procedures, established by the Host Country itself, so as to prevent those incidents from resulting in a grave violation of the security of the Cuban Mission and safety of its personnel, for which they will be the only responsible. The record of violent acts against the Mission of Cuba and its personnel, as well as the continuing presence of self-confessed terrorists in this country, advise to take possible preventive and deterrent measures.
Cuba observes with concern the persistence of irregularities in the timely fulfillment of the obligation of the Host Country to grant entry visas to diplomatic representatives so requiring. There is no satisfactory explanation justifying this situation. The Host Country must redouble its efforts to solve these difficulties and timely issue the required visas, so that representatives of Member States can attend UN meetings in New York or any other place in its territory. 
To Cuba, the issue of travel restrictions by the Host Country on the personnel of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations is particularly sensitive. This discriminatory measure prevents the Cuban personnel from going beyond a 25-mile radius, starting from the Columbus Circle. This limit was arbitrarily imposed on the general rule of the free movement of diplomats. Additionally, the Host Country must be requested a travel permit for our diplomats to attend any meeting or activity held beyond such limit.
The Host Country continues to fail to take concrete steps towards the elimination of this unjustifiable measure. Cuba reiterates the policy of restrictions on the free movement of Cuban diplomats and international officials accredited to the United Nations or working for the Organization is unjust, selective, discriminatory and politically-motivated, and openly contravenes the obligations of the Host Country contained in the Headquarters Agreement and the customary rules of Diplomatic Law. The Cuban delegation advocates the immediate elimination of said restrictions.
As to the question of “Acceleration of immigration and customs procedures”, we consider essential the compliance with diplomatic courtesies, and guarantees of just treatment to Member States’ diplomatic personnel at airports. We take note of the efforts made by the Host Country thereupon, and urge them to continue increasing the training of police, security, customs and border control officers, with a view to maintaining respect for diplomatic privileges and immunities.
Concerning the “Parking programme for diplomatic vehicles”, Cuba considers it should be implemented in an appropriate, equitable, non-discriminatory and efficient manner compatible with international law. The spaces allocated to the Missions must be duly respected.
Madam Chairman,
Once again, Cuba calls upon the Host Country to properly fulfill its obligations under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, and the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, as well as to act in accordance with the general principles of international law, particularly equality and non-discrimination, and to implement, in a timely and proper manner, the decisions and recommendations of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country.
The delegation of Cuba reiterates the importance of the role of the Committee to constantly advise the Host Country, with respect to questions that might arise in the implementation and interpretation of the Headquarters Agreement and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. It will also collaborate constructively in this regard.
Thank you
(Cubaminrex – Misión ONU)

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