EU workers in New York demand special status

Date: 27/09/01

By Laurence Frost

SUPPORT staff at the EU Council of Ministers office in New York are campaigning to be given diplomatic status in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the city.

Secretaries, ushers and security personnel at the delegation want the same treatment as staff at the nearby European Commission office, where their fellow 'C-grades' all have diplomatic immunity. They fear that without the long-overdue benefits, it could prove difficult to leave the country in the event of a new crisis. With the Bush administration talking about war, said one delegation member, "there's concern from people here who have families to protect".

He added: "The EU is making a lot of effort to help and support the Americans - they should protect us here."

Lower-ranking officials have been told by their bosses that a previous application for diplomatic status was rejected by Washington. But Council legal chief Jean-Claude Piris has vowed to raise the issue on his visit to the US this week. "I will do my best at least to clarify the situation," he said.

Support staff at the EU Council of Ministers office in New York are campaigning to be given diplomatic status in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the city.