Cablegate: Somali Permrep's Residence: Obtaining Tfg Approval

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0713 2202357
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 072357Z AUG 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4770
INFO RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0698

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000713

SIPDIS

FOR IO/UNP - S. EDMONDSON, L/DL - S. BENDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP PREL SO
SUBJECT: SOMALI PERMREP'S RESIDENCE: OBTAINING TFG APPROVAL
FOR LIMITED WAIVER OF INVIOLABILITY

REF: SECSTATE 82138 AND PREVIOUS

1. Action request - See Paragraph 3.

2. During U.S. Deputy Permrep Wolff's meeting August 7 to
discuss political developments (septel) with Somali UN
Mission Deputy Permrep Idd Beddel Mohamed, Ambassador Wolff
raised the long-standing problem of serious health and safety
hazards at the unoccupied residence in New Rochelle, New
York, owned by Somalia's UN Mission (reftels). USUN delivered
a diplomatic note on August 1, 2008, requesting that Somalia
execute a limited waiver of inviolability to enable New
Rochelle officials to enter the premises and remedy the
property's health and safety hazards. The diplomatic note
also conveyed that, in the absence of a waiver, the
Department would revisit the diplomatic status of the
property, including its inviolability and exemption from
property taxes. Somalia's Mohamed, after mentioning his
country's chronic lack of funds and that his Mission had
considered selling the residence, indicated that he hoped to
have a favorable reply from the TFG by August 15 regarding
the waiver. Mohamed also recommended that Ambassador Yates
weigh in with the TFG on the importance of this issue to
maximize the likelihood that the TFG will approve the waiver
expeditiously.

3. Action request - We request that Department ask Ambassador
Yates to raise the importance of this matter with the TFG and
the need to approve the waiver expeditiously.
Khalilzad

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