unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/29/89)
SEA-BED AUTHORITY AND GOVT OF JAMAICA: DRAFT AGREEMENT
PREPARATORY COMMISSION CONTINUES REVIEW OF DRAFT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN SEA-BED AUTHORITY AND GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA
The Plenary of the Preparatory Commission for the International Sea-Bed
Authority and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea this morning
continued its examination of the draft Headquarters Agreement between the
International Sea-Bed Authority and the Jamaican Government, approving a new
provision introduced by the representative of Jamaica on security measures.
The plenary also considered provisions of the draft Agreement relating to
travel documents for Authority officials, social security and pension funds,
liability and insurance, settlement of disputes, the relationship between the
Headquarters Agreement and the General Convention, amendments to the Agreement
and the Agreement's termination.
It also approved amendments to the draft Agreement specifically relating
to the Enterprise, the commercial mining arm of the Authority. Those
amendments concern the Enterprise's legal status, judicial actions against it,
privileges and immunities, respect for Jamaican laws, tax exemption, borrowing
and waiver of the Enterprise's immunities.
The Commission's plenary will continue its consideration of the draft
Headquarters Agreement when it meets again at 10 a.m. on Monday, 28 August.
Article 37 on Travel Documents
Under article 37, the Jamaican Government would accept the laissez-passer
issued to Authority officials travelling on official business as a valid
travel document, equivalent to a passport. Similar treatment would be
accorded other persons without laissez-passer travelling on official
Authority business. In addition, the Secretary-General of the Authority,
would be granted the same treatment as accorded diplomatic envoys.
The Chairman said rules governing official travel for experts and other
persons travelling on official United Nations business were now being reviewed
by the Secretary-General and therefore the Commission should lay aside
consideration of such provisions pending the outcome of those discussions.
The representative of Jamaica said he was not able to say whether his
Government would require visas for Authority officials holding laissez-passer.
The Commission approved the provisions relating to travel documents and
agreed to return to the question official business travel by experts and other
persons.
Article 38 on Social Security and Pension Funds
Under article 38 the Authority and its officials would be exempt from
compulsory contributions to Jamaican social security schemes.
The Chairman said one of the advantages to the Sea-Bed Authority's
association with the United Nations was the option of participating in the
Joint Staff Pension Fund.
Responding to questions, the representative of Jamaica said that his
country did indeed have a modified social security system and that Jamaican
nationals working for the Authority should have the option of participating in
it.
The article was approved.
Article 39 on Responsibility, Liability and Insurance
Under article 39, Jamaica would not be responsible for acts of omission
by the Authority or its officials other than its international
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
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