Note: This Electronic Research Collection (ERC) is an archive site. For the most current information, please visit the
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Assistant Secretary/Spokesman Taken QuestionS of December 1, 1993 1. DIPLOMATIC PARKING TICKETS Q: Has the number of countries paying tickets increased since the D.C. (enforcement) plan was announced? A: SINCE THE HELMS-OBEY AMENDMENT TO THE FOREIGN AID ACT WENT INTO EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1993, WE ARE AWARE THAT ONE COUNTRY, ISRAEL, HAS FULLY PAID ITS PARKING FINES TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Q: Has Russia paid its fines? A: NO. Q: Could you provide a list of the amounts owed by country? A: WE MUST REFER YOU TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHICH RECORDS AND MAINTAINS THIS INFORMATION. Q: Have any governments protested the plan enforcing their payment of tickets? A: THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED NO FORMAL PROTEST TO THE HELMS-OBEY AMENDMENT, REQUIRING WITHHOLDING OF FOREIGN AID. THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAVE NOT YET FINALIZED THEIR NEW PARKING POLICY. NEW YORK CITY'S FORMAL PROPOSAL TO THE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED AS OF LATE DECEMBER 1.(###)