EXCHANGE OF LETTERS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF FIJI REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PEACE CORPS PROGRAM, 1968

(25 June 1968)

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 25 JUNE 1968

The American Consul to the Governor of Fiji

THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SUVA, June 25, 1968
 
No. 1
 
EXCELLENCY:

I have the honor to refer to recent conversations between representatives of our two Governments and to propose the following understandings with respect to the men and women of the United States of America who volunteer to serve in the Peace Corps and who at the request of your Government would live and work for periods of time in Fiji.

1. The Government of the United States will furnish such Peace Corps Volunteers as may be requested by the Government of Fiji and approved by the Government of the United States to perform mutually agreed tasks in Fiji. The Volunteers will work under the immediate supervision of governmental or private organizations in Fiji designated by our two Governments. The Government of the United States will provide training to enable the Volunteers to perform more effectively their agreed tasks.

2. The Government of Fiji will accord equitable treatment to the Volunteers and their property;  afford them full aid and protection including treatment no less favorable then that accorded generally to nationals of the United States residing in Fiji; and fully inform, consult and cooperate with representatives of the Government of the United States with respect to all matters concerning them. The Government of Fiji will exempt the Volunteers from all taxes on payments which they receive to defray their living costs and on income from sources outside Fiji, from all customs duties or other charges on their personal property introduced into Fiji for their own use at or about the time of their arrival, and from all other taxes or other charges (including immigration fees) except license fees and taxes or other charges included in the prices of equipment, supplies and services.

3. The Government of the United States will provide the Volunteers with such limited amounts of equipment and supplies as our two Governments may agree should be provided by it to enable the Volunteers to perform their tasks effectively. The Government of Fiji will exempt from all taxes, customs duties and other charges all equipment and supplies (a) introduced into Fiji by or on behalf of the Government of the United States, or any contractor financed by it, for use hereunder; or (b) acquired in Fiji by or on behalf of the Government of the United States, or by or on behalf of any contractor financed by it, for use hereunder, under terms negotiated from time to time between the Government of Fiji and the Government of the United States.

4. To enable the Government of the United States to discharge its responsibilities under this agreement, the Government of Fiji will receive a representative of the Peace Corps and such staff of the representative and such personnel of United States private organizations performing functions hereunder under contract with the Government of the United States as are acceptable to the Government of Fiji. The Government of Fiji will exempt such persons from all taxes on income derived from their Peace Corps work or sources outside Fiji and from all other taxes or other charges (including immigration fees) except license fees and taxes or other charges included in the prices of equipment, supplies and services. The Government of Fiji will accord the Peace Corps representative and his staff and personnel of United States private organizations acting on behalf  of the Peace Corps and financed by the Government of the United States the same treatment with respect to the payments of customs duties or other charges on personal property introduced into Fiji for their own use as is accorded Volunteers hereunder, together with such other privileges that may be negotiated from time to time between the Government of Fiji and the Government of the United States.

5. Appropriate representatives of our two Governments may make from time to time such arrangements with respect to Peace Corps Volunteers and Peace Corps programs in Fiji as appear necessary or desirable for the purpose of implementing this agreement. The undertaking of each Government herein is subject to the availability of funds and to the applicable laws of that Government.

I have the further honor to propose that, if these understandings are acceptable to your Government, this note and your Government's reply note concurring therein shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments which shall enter into force on the date of your Government's note and shall remain in force ninety days after the date of the written notification from either Government to the other of intention to  terminate it.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

The Governor of Fiji to the American Consul

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, SUVA, FIJI

25th JUNE, 1968
 
SIR,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your formal note dated 25th June, 1968, setting out the proposed understandings between your Government and the Government of Fiji with respect to the men and women of the United States of America who volunteer to serve in the Peace Corps and who at the request of the Government of Fiji would live and work for periods of time in Fiji.

These understandings are acceptable to the Government of Fiji and it is agreed that this note and your formal note referred to above will be regarded as constituting an agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Fiji, acting with the authority and consent of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, such agreement to enter into force on the date of this note and to remain in force until ninety days after the written notification from either Government to the other of intention to terminate it.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration.

I have the honour  to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,

SIGNATORIES:

LOUIS J. LINK
His Excellency

Sir DEREK JAKEWAY, K.C.M.G., O.B.E.,

Governor of Fiji, Suva.

F. D. JAKEWAY

Governor

Fiji
Mr LOUIS J. LINK,

American Consul, Consulate of the United States of America, Suva, Fiji.