VZCZCXYZ0012
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0445/01 1561902
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051902Z JUN 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2015

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000445 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC KUNR UNGA
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE REQUEST: US FAILURE TO DEPOSIT 2003 AND 
2004 UN PAYMENTS FOR A FULL REFUND OF THE US SHARE OF THE 
BALANCE OF THE TRUST FUND FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
COTONOU ACCORD ON LIBERIA 
 
REF: A. USUN 00879 (2005) 
     ¶B. USUN 00022 
 
 ¶1. GUIDANCE REQUEST: USUN is transmitting two May 23 note 
verbales from the Secretary-General notifying the United 
States that the United Nations has voided check payments to 
the United States from 2003 and 2004 that have not been 
deposited.  These payments represent a full refund to the 
United States for its share of the balance of the Trust Fund 
for the Implementation of the Contonou Accord on Liberia.  In 
order to replace the voided checks, the United Nations asks 
that the United States provide it with the bank account 
information to which the refund amount can be deposited. 
USUN seeks Department guidance as soon as possible on an 
appropriate response.  END GUIDANCE REQUEST. 
 
¶2. Test of first note verbale: 
 
Begin text: 
 
The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his 
compliments to the Permanent Representative of the United 
States to the United Nations and has the honour to refer to a 
note dated 6 March 2003 from Mr. J.P. Halbwachs, the then 
Controller of the United Nations, enclosing a check in the 
amount of $2,874,721 representing a full refund of United 
State's share of the balance of the Trust Fund for the 
Implementation of the Cotonou Accord on Liberia. 
 
In this regard, in view of the fact that the above mentioned 
check has not been cashed to date, it has been voided. 
 
In order to replace the voided check, it would be appreciated 
if the Permanent Mission of the United States could provide 
us with the bank account information to which the refund 
amount can be deposited. 
 
The Secretary-General avails himself of this opportunity to 
renew to the Permanent Representative the assurances of his 
highest consideration. 
 
End text. 
 
¶3. March 6, 2003 letter to Ambassador John Negroponte 
enclosed with the note verbale written in para 2: 
 
Begin text: 
 
Dear Mr. Ambassador, 
 
I have the honour to advise you that a cheque in the amount 
of US$2,874,721 had been issued to the Permanent Mission of 
the United States to the United Nations representing refund 
of the remaining balance of the Government of the United 
States' contribution to the United Nations Trust Fund for the 
Implementation of the Contonou Accord on Liberia (see coy of 
cheque number 239040 attached).  This cheque has been issued 
pursuant to my earlier letter of 16 December 2002 (reference 
PKM/BNF-III-2.14). 
 
As indicated in my letter of 16 December, the amount of 
US$2,874,721 comprised US$962,919 in unencumbered balances 
and US$1,911,802 in accrued interest income as at 30 June 
2002 computed on a pro-rata basis. 
 
Once again, on behalf of the Secretary-General, I wish to 
express our appreciation to the Government of the United 
States for its generous support provided to the United 
Nations peacekeeping activities in Liberia. 
 
 
I remain, dear Mr. Ambassador, 
Yours Sincerely, 
 
Signed, 
 
Jean-Pierre Halbwachs 
Assistant-Secretary General, Controller 
 
¶4. Text of second note verbale: 
 
Begin text: 
 
The Secretary-General of the United Nations presents his 
compliments to the Permanent Representative of the United 
States to the United Nations and has the honour to refer to a 
note dated June 2004 from Mr. J.P. Halbwachs, the then 
Controller of the United Nations, enclosing a check in the 
amount of $104,489 representing a full refund of United 
States' share of the balance of the Trust Fund for the 
Implementation of the Cotonou Accord on Liberia. 
 
 
 
 
 
In this regard, in view of the fact that the above mentioned 
check has not been cashed to date, it has been voided. 
 
In order to replace the voided check, it would be appreciated 
if the Permanent Mission of the United States could provide 
us with the bank account information to which the refund 
amount can be deposited. 
 
The Secretary-General avails himself of this opportunity to 
renew to the Permanent Representative the assurances of his 
highest consideration. 
 
End text. 
 
¶5. June 2004 letter to Ambassador John Negroponte enclosed 
with the note verbale written in para 4: 
 
Begin text: 
 
Dear Mr. Ambassador, 
 
I have the honour to enclose a cheque in the amount of 
US$104,489 (No.249084) which has been re-issued on 4 June 
2004 to replace cheque No.243834 of 17 September 2003, in the 
same amount, owing to expiration of the six-month validity 
period.  The cheque represents your Government's pro-rated 
share in the additional interest income accrued to the United 
Nations Trust Fund for the Implementation of the Cotonou 
Accord on Liberia at the time of its closing on 30 June 2003. 
 
Once again, on behalf of the Secretary-General, I wish to 
express our appreciation to the Government of the United 
States for its generous support provided to the United 
Nations peacekeeping activities in Liberia. 
 
I remain, dear Mr. Ambassador, 
Your sincerely, 
 
Signed, 
 
Jean-Pierre Halbwachs 
Assistant Secretary-General, Controller 
 
KHALILZAD