Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 57 Part 2.djvu/561

 57 STAT.] EGYPT-CRIMINAL OFFENSES, JURISDICTION-MAR. 2, 1943 Agreement between the United States of America and Egypt respecting March 2, 143 jurisdiction over criminal offenses committed by the armed forces of [E. A. S. 356 the United States in Egypt. Effected by exchanges of notes signed at Cairo March 2, 1943; effective March 2, 1943. And proces-verbal. Note in the English, French, and Arabic Languages From the Egyptian Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to the American Minister MINISTERE DES AFFAIRES ETRANGARES No. P. 4. -55.9/137 C. CAIRO, March 2, 1943. YOUR EXCELLENCY: With reference to the request which you have addressed to me in the name of the Government of the United States of America, I have the honour to inform you that the Egyptian Government has decided to accord, for the duration of the war, immunity from jurisdiction in criminal matters to members of the United States Forces in Egypt, in accordance with the following procedure:- The expression "United States Forces" will include all persons subject to the military and naval law of the United States who are members of the United States armed Forces on Egyptian territory as well as all civilian employees of American nationality who are accom- panying the said Forces or serve with them and who are bearers of certificates issued by the competent American authority defining their status. It is understood that the wives and children of the mem- bers of the United States Forces do not benefit hereby from any immunity from jurisdiction and will be amelnal)le to the jurisdiction of Egyptian courts. The immunity from jurisdiction accorded by the Egyptian Govern- ment will cover crimes, misdemeanors and police offences committed in Egypt by the members of the United States Forces. However, when the infraction will have been committed by a civilian employee referred to above the Egyptian Government reserves the right, either to turn over the offender to the Egyptian courts or to hand him over to the competent American military authorities. In cases in which members of the civilian population are victims, a competent American military court sitting in Egypt will judge the case without delay and in public session, unless sittings behind closed doors are necessary for reasons of security. The sentence will be communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the good offices of the Legation of the United States. The American military courts shall not assume jurisdiction over members of the civilian population of Egypt. The Egyptian Government will undertake, on the written request of the interested American authority, the investigation, arrest and delivery of any member of the United States Forces declared deserter or absent without leave. 1197

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