Cuba today described as unjustified the restrictions imposed on the operation of some UN member delegations in breach of the obligations of the United States as host country of the organization.
The alternate permanent representative of the Caribbean island, Yuri Gala, rejected the selective and arbitrary use of the Headquarters Agreement by the North American nation to prevent or limit the participation of officials from some countries in the work of the United Nations, a flagrant violation of the principle of sovereign equality among all members of the forum.
During the presentation of the report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country, the Cuban representative denounced obstacles such as the arbitrary imposition of restrictions on the movement of diplomats from various countries and their families.
He also referred to the delay and arbitrary denial of visas to members to access the headquarters of the Organization and participate in its work and the unjustified expulsion of diplomats accredited to the UN. In addition, he rejected violations such as the seizure of properties; the impediments to access bank accounts and carry out transactions to fulfill their financial commitments; the secondary inspections at U.S. airports of diplomatic personnel of some delegations, among others.
At the same time, he regretted that the Committee's procedures allow the United States to be the judge of what it is a party to.
This, he added, is the main obstacle for the Committee to be able to carry out its work objectively and in accordance with the truth of what is being discussed.
Gala recalled several hostile demonstrations outside the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the UN without the authorities of the host country duly complying with the obligations to which it is subject.
The Vienna Convention requires the adoption of all appropriate measures to protect the premises against any intrusion or damage and to avoid disturbing the tranquility or violating its dignity, she recalled.
"We reiterate that the inaction of the host country has motivated the occurrence of these demonstrations, which make it impossible for the personnel of our diplomatic headquarters to carry out the functions for which they are accredited, without danger of aggression by the demonstrators," the also ambassador added.
Cuba remains firmly determined to cooperate so that the decisions and recommendations of this important Committee are carried out with transparency and respect for the sovereignty of member states, and in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, the representative said.
The country will continue its constructive work for the improvement and effectiveness of the Committee's work, through broad processes of debate, consultation, negotiation and collaboration among its members, as well as by promoting the active participation of other member states, whether or not affected by the host country's non-compliance.