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CITY CASTING 'NET FOR U.N. SCOFFLAWS

By DAVID SEIFMAN

June 26, 2001 -- After trying just about everything else, the city's Finance Department is resorting to humiliation to convince scofflaw diplomats to pay overdue parking tickets.

For the first time, the top 25 offenders are being listed on the Finance Department's Web site, here.

Officials said the city has collected only about $160,000 of $21.3 million run up in unpaid fines and penalties between 1997 and 2000.

Topping the list are diplomats from Egypt, who owe $1,629,216 on 15,924 summonses.

Others in the top ranks: Nigeria, Kuwait, Indonesia, Russia, Brazil, Morocco, Malaysia, China and Pakistan.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001