NEW YORK - The UN General Assembly, more used to attempting to solve world disputes, is being asked by diplomats to consider whether New York's attempt to crack down on diplomatic parking violations conflicts with international law.
The move by the UN's Committee on Relations with the Host Country will "bring the organisation into ridicule in the public eye", said the US ambassador, Mr Victor Marrero. But the committee voted 10-1, with Britain abstaining and the US voting against, to take their parking complaint to the 185 member General Assembly.
The diplomats are upset that a New York programme puts them at risk of losing their diplomatic licence plates and driving privileges if they fail to pay parking fines within a year. In exchange, the city promised to provide more diplomatic parking spaces and establish a telephone hotline for complaints. Some diplomats would prefer the UN to leave New York rather than stick to the parking restrictions imposed on the ordinary citizen.