Harvard appears to be moving to secure its borders against other nation states. In an interesting landlord-tenant dispute, Harvard has charged that Cameroon is squatting on its property on embassy row. The country has been the university’s tenant for two years but its lease expired a week ago. A week? That is not a lot of time for almost 19 million people to collect their stuff, get moving buddies, a truck, and find a new crib.
Harvard notes that the country is still listing its building as an official embassy site and says that the problem is clearly the result of renovations at its large embassy building going on longer than expected.
Harvard filed papers stating that “[t]he Court (should) issue a Writ of Restitution directing the U.S. Marshals Service to execute the eviction.” This came after Harvard offered a three-month extension but did not hear back from its tenants. Thus, “[b]ecause the Embassy has improperly held over after the end of the Lease Term, (Harvard) is entitled to a judgment for possession of the Premises.”
Just wait until Harvard finds out about Cameroon having cats under the no-pets lease.
The country may wish to be careful on challenges. The Supreme Court has six justices who either graduated or attended Harvard. The three Yale graduates (Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Sonia Sotomayor) do not even have enough to grant cert.
So if you are a country looking for a cool crib near Dupont Circle, this property may soon be available though it has limited storage and excess Cameroonians.
Source: Fox
Interesting to see a case of attempted eviction of a property leased to another country. Aren’t there complications?
One immediately thinks of this as a pattern for an eviction proceeding against the United States regarding Guantanamo, should a rent check get lost in the mail. What with the Postal Service and all.
Far be it from me to defend an Ivy League institution and a symbol of American Aristocracy, but if they gave them a three month extension Cameroon had plenty of time to find other temporary arrangements.
Do they have any diplomacy classes at Harvard?
Is Harvard going to be bolstering its Soccer Team anytime soon….
And, what does Diplomatic Immunity mean and what are the implications in the matter?
It sounds like Harvard has a valid case and they should protect their interests, but wouldn’t it have made more sense to reach out in person with the ambassador and try to settle the matter?
Always good to read an article that doesn’t make one scream in frustration.