FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 9, 2002

SCHUMER, FOSSELLA: COUNTRIES MUST PAY DIPLOMATIC PARKING TICKETS OR FACE NEW CONSEQUENCES

With Tentative Agreement Reached Between City and State Department, New Legislation Would Force Countries To Abide By Law

Legislation Would Deny Diplomatic License Plates to Offenders; Subtract Outstanding Fines from Foreign Assistance Packages, With NYC Receiving Withheld Funds

Hours after the City and State Department agreed to the principles of an agreement on diplomatic parking tickets, Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY13) today unveiled federal legislation that deny offenders new diplomatic license plates and withhold a portion of United States foreign assistance money to any nation with outstanding summonses. This legislation would lay out the method by which the countries would be penalized and would force a usually reluctant State Department to comply.

Since 1997, foreign officials with missions and consulates in New York have amassed more than 200,000 unpaid parking tickets and incurred over $22 million in fines, penalties and interest. Many of the summonses were issued because of safety violations, including blocking fire hydrants, parking on sidewalks, and parking in no-parking or no-standing zones. Parking violations by diplomats exacerbate New York's existing traffic problems, which are particularly severe in the area near the United Nations.

"These illegally parked cars cause major traffic and safety problems. Diplomatic license plates don't give foreign officials free rein to violate New York's parking laws," Schumer said. "These laws are there to keep New York safe and keep New York moving. Everyone benefits from them, but they don't work unless everyone follows them."

Fossella said, "New York City is proud to welcome individuals from around the world as home of the United Nations. However, it is inexcusable for any United Nations diplomat to disregard the laws of our city and, subsequently, the penalties that accompany those actions. Indeed, as a guest of the United States, foreign officials should show our nation the respect it deserves by following the simple parking rules of our city and accept full responsibility if they fail to do so. The laws of New York City apply to all people equally, regardless of whether the individual is a teacher, a carpenter or a sheik, prince or baron."
On August 2, 2002, Mayor Bloomberg announced that the city would begin towing illegally parked diplomatic cars and refusing to return them until all fines are paid. The City and State Department announced an agreement this morning, delaying the start of the towing. "Personally, I applaud the Mayor's actions and I hope this deal holds," Schumer said, "Now it is time for Congress to help and make sure State upholds its side."

Schumer and Fossella unveiled new legislation that would force the State Department to follow through on its agreement with the city and crack down on diplomatic parking violations. Fossella introduced the legislation in the House in May and Schumer plans to introduce similar legislation in the Senate when Congress resumes session in September.

Fossella's and Schumers legislation:

1. Requires the Secretary of State to withhold 110% of the amount owed from the funds available under the Foreign Assistance Act for allocation to the offending diplomats' countries of origin. This requirement would be permanent and would not expire with this year's foreign aid appropriation. Last year Schumer passed a bill that addressed this issue. However, because it was part of an appropriations bill, it only covered parking violations for that year.

2. Directs those funds to the City of New York to pay for the diplomats' outstanding parking fines and penalties.

3. Requires the Secretary of State to refuse to issue or renew license plates and registrations for the vehicles of diplomatic personnel who owe the City of New York parking fines or penalties.

"This legislation will send a clear and simple message to foreign diplomats," Schumer said. "If you violate New York City's parking laws, you have to pay a ticket like the rest of us. And if you don't pay it on your own, there will be consequences. By denying these countries new diplomatic license plates, this bill shows these scofflaw countries we mean business."

Fossella said, "It is my hope this legislation will spur any nation that owes the City money to do the right thing by paying their parking fines and discontinuing their flagrant disregard for our laws. We have worked in good faith to reach an agreement for nearly one year. Diplomats will now learn the hard way that there is a price to pay for parking illegally in New York."

Egypt, Kuwait and Nigeria top the list of offending countries; each owes over $1 million for over 10,000 violations dating from 1997.

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