DIPLOMATIC PARKING

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32382, 22 August 1970, Page 6

DIPLOMATIC PARKING

Problems In London

Diplomatic immunity, the accepted tradition under which diplomats and their families are not. subject to the laws of the host country, has recently been in the news in Britain. The Home Secretary has been questioned in Parliament about a particular incident and, in general, about the conduct of diplomats. In a broadcast explaining the background to the whole issue, a 8.8. C. reporter quoted an eminent authority on international law. Professor Lauterpacht: “Diplomatic envoys are aS sacrosanct as Heads of States.”

In a sentence this gives what over the centuries has been generally accepted practice. But in return for these privileges, a diplomat is expected to observe a certain code of conduct He is, for instance, not expected to run up large debts nor must he cause a breach of the peace. There are, however, a host of minor laws which diplomats seem to be breaking with impunity, and foremost among these in London are parking regulations. It was recently revealed that over the last 12 months some 26,000 parking fines had not been paid, on grounds of diplomatic immunity. The worst offending Embassy, an Iron Curtain country, owed over £5OOO in fines. At the other end of the scale Russia, with one of the largest missions, had few fines, and the United States, lower still, paid all their fines, and was the only country to do so. There is a general view in Britain that diplomats have a responsibility to behave in a manner expected of ordinary citizens. That really sums up the position simply and succinctly. Diplomatic immunity, like most things,, carries responsibilities as well as rights.