U.N.’s Gridlock of Diplomats Also Stalls N.Y.

The largest gathering of world leaders in recent history Wednesday brought New York clogged streets, extraordinary security and a boost for business in establishments as diverse as Amtrak and the F.A.O. Schwarz toy store.

Parts of Manhattan were turned into a land of limousines, and security was so tight that a dozen policemen guarded just one street corner near the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The fear of a Beirut-style car bombing was so intense that ambulances were stationed outside some hotels, and tow trucks waited in lines to compete to haul away cars that parked in sensitive areas.

On some streets, couriers from messenger services were stopped and their bags were searched. Anti-sniper teams stood by in vans and on rooftops while police helicopters hovered overhead and patrol boats cruised the East River near U.N. headquarters, where heads of state gathered to mark the organization’s 40th anniversary.

Chancellor Strolls

While his fellow leaders traveled by motorcade, West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl strolled from the Waldorf-Astoria, where he and several other leaders are staying, to U.N. headquarters. Aides said Kohl likes to walk and wasn’t objecting to the traffic jams.

On his way back, he narrowly avoided being hit by a police car in President Reagan’s motorcade. Aides quickly pushed the chancellor back onto the sidewalk.

Because of the extraordinary security, Reagan’s black limousine was parked at the front door of the United Nations, not in the organization’s garage with vehicles of other heads of state.

“It’s absolute havoc over at the U.N.,” said Roy Fugazy, vice president of Fugazy Express, a large Manhattan car service that supplies limousines. “The diplomats call the limos up from the parking garages. Many don’t know which car they drove over in. We’ve been fortunate so far. No one has taken off in the wrong limousine.”

With more than 60 world leaders attending the U.N. celebration, there was gridlock within the U.N. headquarters as well. Diplomats complained that the crowds of journalists, prime ministers, presidents and their aides and entourages were so thick it was hard to move from floor to floor.

The Waldorf-Astoria, just blocks from the United Nations, was converted into a virtual fortress with a no man’s land of empty streets ringing the hotel.

In a rehearsal for the Geneva summit, a huge press corps accompanied President Reagan to New York. In addition, hundreds of reporters, many from abroad, gathered to cover the United Nations’ birthday.

Parade of Limousines

Hundreds of office workers in skyscrapers along Park Avenue stood in front of their buildings during the lunch hour, watching the parade of limousines carrying dignitaries. Television cameras were set up on street corners to record the scene.

Within the Waldorf, shopkeepers who declined to give their names complained that all the police and Secret Service protection had been hard on business.

“People are discouraged and frightened by all the security,” a retailer said. “I’m disgusted.”

But some other businesses, away from secure areas, offered different views as delegates turned tourist. At F.A.O. Schwarz, the well-known Fifth Avenue toy store, a Middle Eastern delegate filled a van with $4,000 worth of games, toys, dolls and other childhood delights.

President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, who arrived early, chartered two private Amtrak club cars at a cost of about $10,000 for a weekend journey to Washington, with an entourage of 50. The cars were attached to a Metroliner, and champagne and caviar were served during the trip.

Some Grumbling

While official New York celebrated the U.N. birthday with pride, some other New Yorkers had lesser sentiments.

After waiting most of the day in line near the Waldorf-Astoria, a limousine driver shuttling diplomats grumbled that it was a thankless chore, because diplomats don’t tip.

“We don’t take drachmas,” one driver said.

A businessman, facing three days of traffic-clogged streets, said he wished all heads of state would “take the bus like the rest of us.”

At the corner of 50th Street and Park Avenue, traffic officer Peter Curry was taking abuse from motorists angry that traffic was blocked.

“They say to me, ‘It’s all your fault,’ ” Curry said. “I’ve got to tell them, ‘It’s not just you stuck in traffic. It’s the whole city.’ ”

FBI Car Towed Away

Curry’s fellow officers took some revenge: The city towed away two illegally parked cars bearing diplomatic license plates, one from Qatar and one from Israel, as well as one that a New York police officer said belonged to the FBI.

But there were common bonds between New Yorkers and the foreign guests. A driver for the Pakistani mission said the statesman he was shuttling immediately asked him about the price of gasoline in New York. And Peter Charles, a chauffeur assigned to the Lebanese and Jordanian delegations, said that between U.N. meetings his charges headed repeatedly for McDonald’s for burgers and fries.