Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 63 Part 3.djvu/278

 2582 61 Stat., Pt. 4, p. 3924. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [63 STAT. The Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs to the American Ambassador Ministry of Foreign Affairs. THE HAGUE, 17 th May 1949. YoTR EXCELLENCY, On signing today the Agreement for the use of funds made avail- able in accordance with the Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Government of the United States of America, regarding Settlement for Lend-Lease, Reciprocal Aid, Surplus Property, Military Relief and Claims, signed at Wash- ington D. C. on May 28, 1947, Ihave the honour to refer to the exchange of letters during the months of June and July 1948 [1] between Her Majesty's Embassy at Washington D. C. and the Department of State, concerning the interpretation of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 12 of the aforesaid Agreement and pursuant thereto I herewith con- firm that it is agreed that: Article 12, paragraph 1: "Furniture, equipment, supplies and any other articles intended for the official use of the Foundation" does not include such articles in- tended for personal use of members of the Board of Directors. Article 12, paragraph 2: It is understood that the Foundation will be exempt from custom- duties, excises or surtaxes in all cases where such taxation is clearly distinguishable such as import duties on imported goods. If goods are bought in the open market, excise and other indirect taxes will not be deducted from the purchasing price when the goods are bought. The Netherlands Government, in order to avoid administrative complications, would appreciate if the Foundation should refrain from requesting a refund of such indirect, more or less "hidden" taxes. If this would not be feasible a procedure would have to be considered by which a refund could be made on for instance sales-tax. The Foundation itself will not be taxed. No exemption can be granted of payment of registration dues, stampduties or notary-fees in the case of sales of real property or leases thereof. I would be grateful to have Your Excellency's confirmation on be- half of the Government of the United States of the above interpreta- tions and I have the honour to suggest that the present Note and Your Excellency's reply to that effect should be considered as placing on record the formal agreement of the two Governments in this matter. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration. His Excellency Dr. HERMAN B. BARUCH, Ambassadorextraordinaryand plenipotentiary of the UJited States of America. Not printed. STIKKER

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