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 62 STAT.] ITALY-U. S. MILITARY CEMETERIES-r 2 Apr. 19, 4 19 Jan. 21, Mar. 24, Apr. 19, 1948 Agreement between the United States of America and Italy modifying the agreement of September 13 and 24, 1946, respecting American dead in World War II. Effected by exchange of notes dated at Wash- ington December 18, 1947, and January 21, 1948; entered into force January21, 1948. And an understandingbetween the United States of America and Italy amending the agreement of December 18, 1947, and January21, 1948; effected by exchange of notes dated at Washington March 24 and April 19, 1948; entered into force April 19, 1948. The ItalianEmbassy to the Departmentof State ITALIAN EMBASSY No. 11332 WASHINGTON, D. C. No. 11332 The Italian Embassy presents its compliments to the Department of State and has the honor to bring to the Department's attention a new provision adoped by the Italian Government with regard to American war cemeteries. As known to the Department of State, article 3 of the agreement reached through an exchange of notes in September 1946 at Rome, between the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United States Embassy, provides that "if in the future the Government of the United States wishes to establish permanent cemeteries or erect memorials in Italy, the Italian Government will exercise its power of Eminent Domain to acquire title to such sites and grant to the United States the right of use therein in perpetuity upon payment by the United States of cost compensation therefore". Upon instructions received, the Italian Embassy has the honor to inform the Department of State that the Italian Government, wishing to give a token of friendship to the Government and people of the United States, has now decided to grant the American Government the free use of the sites selected for the establishment of war cemeteries. It would have been the sincere desire of the Italian Government to proceed to a veritable donation of the land involved, but it was not possible to reach such a solution because not consented by existing regu- lations. On the other hand the advantages that the American Govern- ment will draw from such a free cession will be practically the same as those deriving from a donation, since the free use is granted for as long as the selected sites will be destined to military cemeteries. In the light of the foregoing the Italian Government has the honor to request the American Government to consider the first paragraph of article 3 of the aforesaid agreement modified as follows: "The Italian Government grants gratuitously to the American Government the right 1889 December 18, 1947, January 21, March 24, April 19, 1948 [T. I. A. S. 1743] 61 Stat., Pt. 4, p. 3752. 61 Stat., Pt. 4 p. 3752.

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