Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country

The General Assembly,

Having considered the report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country,

Recalling Article 105 of the Charter of the United Nations, the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations,

Recalling further that the problems related to the privileges and immunities of all missions accredited to the United Nations, the security of the missions and the safety of their personnel are of great importance and concern to Member States, as well as the primary responsibility of the host country,

Noting with deep concern the continued acts violating the security and the safety of the personnel of the missions accredited to the United Nations,

Recognizing that effective measures should continue to be taken by the competent authorities of the host country, in particular to prevent any acts violating the security of missions and the safety of their personnel,

Considering further the issues raised by certain States Members of the United Nations in response to the request and to action by the host country to reduce the size of their missions,

Conscious of the increased interest shown by Member States in participating in the work of the Committee,

1.         Endorses the recommendations of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country contained in paragraph 83 of its report;

2.         Strongly condemns any criminal acts violating the security of missions accredited to the United Nations and the safety of their personnel;

3.         Urges the host country to take all necessary measures to continue to prevent criminal acts, including harassment and violations of the security of missions and the safety of their personnel or infringements of the inviolability of their property, in order to ensure the existence and functioning of all missions, including practicable measures to prohibit illegal activities of persons, groups and organizations that encourage, instigate, organize or engage in the perpetration of acts and activities against the security and safety of such missions and representatives;

4.         Renews its request to the host country and the Member States that raised the issues in response to the request and to action by the host country to reduce the size of their missions to follow consultations with a view to reaching solutions to this matter, in accordance with the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations;

5.         Stresses the importance of a positive perception of the work of the United Nations, expresses concern about a negative public image and, therefore, urges that efforts be continued to build up public awareness by explaining, through all available means, the importance of the role played by the United Nations and the missions accredited to it in the strengthening of international peace and security;

6.         Requests the Secretary-General to remain actively engaged in all aspects of the relations of the United Nations with the host country and to continue to stress the importance of effective measures to avoid acts of terrorism, violence and harassment against the missions and their personnel, as well as the need for any pertinent legislation adopted by the host country to be in accord with the Headquarters Agreement and its other relevant obligations;

7.         Decides to consider at its forty-third session the question of the composition of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country;

8.         Requests the Committee on Relations with the Host Country to continue its work, in conformity with General Assembly resolution 2819 (XXVI) of 15 December 1971;

9.         Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-third session the item entitled "Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country".

B

The General Assembly,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and its relevant provisions,

Guided also by the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, of 26 June 1947,

Taking note of the report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country,

Having been apprised of the action being considered in the host country, the United States of America, which might impede the maintenance of facilities of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United Nations in New York, which enables it to discharge its official functions,

Recalling its resolutions 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974 and 3375 (XXX) of 10 November 1975,

Taking note with appreciation of the Secretary-General's position on the Permanent Observer Mission of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United Nations, as described in the statement of 22 October 1987, which reads: "The members of the Palestine Liberation Organization Observer Mission are, by virtue of resolution 3237 (XXIX), invitees to the United Nations. As such, they are covered by sections 11, 12 and 13 of the Headquarters Agreement of 26 June 1947. There is therefore a treaty obligation on the host country to permit Palestine Liberation Organization Observer Mission personnel to enter and remain in the United States to carry out their official functions at United Nations Headquarters.",

1.         Reiterates that the Permanent Observer Mission of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United Nations in New York is covered by the provisions of the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations and should be enabled to establish and maintain premises and adequate functional facilities, and that the personnel of the Mission should be enabled to enter and remain in the United States to carry out their official functions;

2.         Requests the host country to abide by its treaty obligations under the Headquarters Agreement and in this connection to refrain from taking any action that would prevent the discharge of the official functions of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Palestine Liberation Organization to the United Nations;

3.         Requests the Secretary-General to take effective measures to ensure full respect for the Headquarters Agreement and to report, without delay, to the General Assembly on any further development in this matter;

4.         Decides to keep this matter under active review.