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 DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON

October 13, 1964

Dear Jack:

I'm sorry to be so tardy with the supporting information about the Vienna Convention which you asked for so long ago, and only hope it is not too late to be of possible help in the situation described in Embtel 398.

The Convention itself entered into force on April 24, 1964, when the required 22 countries ratified it. As of now, 33 countries have ratified, with one more (Venezuela) very close to ratification. We ourselves are not doing so well: the bill was introduced into the Senate on May 14, 1963, and there is no prognosis of any kind as to when it might be enacted. As to application, there is no reason to believe that it is not being applied, at least as regards minimum standards, in all of the 33 countries which have ratified. In exoneration of our own position, it might be pointed out that our practice has always been more liberal than the minimum standards set forth in the Convention, so our leisurely legislative handling is not a reflection of any backwardness in meeting reasonable standards for treatment of diplomats.

The agreement covering our military advisers in India has not yet been signed; when it is, I shall see that you get a copy, even if this comes after Majlis ratification, so that the Iranians can compare notes.

Thank you for the information about the J. A. Jones problem; we will hold on to it in case there is further inquiry from Senator Ervin.

I am also taking up your suggestion about the Afghan SAM's and hope we will be able to follow through on it in some fashion. Meanwhile, John A. Armitage, Esquire Special Assistant to the Ambassador for MSP, American Embassy, TEHRAN.

CONFIDENTIAL