Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 62 Part 3.djvu/1086

 62 STAT.] BELGIUM-PASSPORT VISAS-OCT. 12, 26, 1948 3707 Agreement between the United States of America and Belgium respecting ctober 12, 26, 198 waiver of passport visas for American citizens and extension of period [T. L A.s-. 8 91 of validity for Belgian citizens. Effected by exchange of notes dated at Washington October 12 and 26, 1948; entered into force October 26, 1948. The Belgian Embassy to the Department of State AMBASSADE DE BEGIQUE No. 4723 The Belgian Embassy presents its compliments to the Depart- ment of State and has the honor to inform the Department that the Belgian Government has decided to waive from the 15th of October 1948 all visa requirements for American citizens rightfully bearing valid American passports who wish to proceed to Belgium either for transit or for a stay not exceeding two months. It should be understood that this measure does not alter otherwise the present Belgian regulations governing the sojourn, the establish- ment or employment of foreigners which remain applicable to Amer- ican citizens as before. The Belgian Government has further decided that American mili- tary personnel belonging to the American Forces of occupation in Germany on detached service or on leave, will be authorized to pro- ceed to Belgium on presentation of a military certificate of identity, bearing a photograph of the holder, together with either an order of mission or a leave furlough. The previous visa requirements on the latter document will be waived from the 15th of October 1948. A valid american passport will still be required from American military personnel travelling in civilian clothes proceeding to Bel- gium either on duty or on leave. The civilian personnel of American nationality employed by agen- cies of the American Government or of the American Army similar to the "Army Exchange Service" (with the exception of the tech- nical counsellors representing commercial interests) and the American personnel of the Red Cross are submitted to the same regulations as the military personnel as far as they travel in uniform. In their case a "letter of authority to visit a foreign country" by which the United States Army takes full responsability for the journey takes the place of the order of mission or passport. An American passport is needed for journeys performed by the above mentioned categories of personnel when they travel in civilian clothes. The Belgian Embassy understands that the Government of the United States of America contemplates granting to Belgian sub- jects who intend to proceed to the United States for a temporary 68706--2 -PT. --- 70

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