AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BRITISH SOLOMON ISLANDS PROTECTORATE CONCERNING THE PROGRAM OF THE PEACE CORPS IN THE BRITISH SOLOMON ISLANDS PROTECTORATE

(Suva – Honiara, 13 January 1972 – 9 February 1972)

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 9 FEBRUARY 1972

The American Charge d'Affaires ad interim to the Financial Secretary, British Solomon Islands Protectorate

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
 
No. 1   SUVA, FIJI, January 13, 1972
 
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 the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

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

2. The Government of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate will accord equitable treatment to the Volunteers and their property; afford them full aid and protection, including treatment no less favorable than that accorded generally to nationals of the United States residing in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate; 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 the British Solomon Islands Protectorate will exempt the Volunteers from all taxes on payments which they receive to defray their living costs and on income from sources outside the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, from all customs duties or other charges on their personal property introduced into the British Solomon Islands Protectorate 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 and 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 the British Solomon Islands Protectorate will exempt from all taxes, customs duties and other charges, all equipment and supplies introduced into or acquired in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate by the Government of the United States, or any contractor financed by it, for use hereunder.

4. To enable the Government of the United States to discharge its responsibilities under this agreement, the Government of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate 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 the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. The Government of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate will exempt such persons from all taxes on income derived from their Peace Corps work or sources outside the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, and from all other taxes or other charges (including immigration fees) except license fees and taxes and other charges included in the prices of equipment, supplies and services. The Government of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate will accord the Peace Corps Representative and his staff the same treatment with respect to the payment of customs duties or other charges on personal property introduced into the British Solomon Islands Protectorate for their own use as is accorded personnel of comparable rank or grade of the consular mission of the United States; and will accord personnel of United States private organizations performing functions hereunder the same treatment with respect to the payment of customs duties or other charges on personal property introduced into the British Solomon Islands Protectorate for their own use as is accorded Volunteers hereunder.

5. The Government of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate will exempt from investment and deposit requirements and currency controls all funds introduced into the British Solomon Islands Protectorate for use hereunder by the Government of the United States or contractors financed by it.

6. 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 the British Solomon Islands Protectorate as appear necessary or desirable for the purpose of implementing this agreement. The undertakings of each Government herein are 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 until ninety days after the date of the written notification from either Government to the other of intention to terminate it.

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

The Financial Secretary, British Solomon Islands Protectorate, to the American Charge d'Affaires

SECRETARIAT HONIARA BRITISH SOLOMON ISLANDS PROTECTORATE
 
460/2/5

9th FEBRUARY, 1972
 
SIR,

I have the honour to refer to your Note No. 1 dated January 13, 1972, proposing certain 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 the Protectorate Government, would live and work for periods of time in the British Solomon Islands.

The understandings listed Nos. 1 to 6 in your Note are acceptable to the Protectorate Government and I agree that your Note No. 1 and this Note shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments which shall enter into force on the date of this Note and shall remain in force until ninety days after the date of the written notification from either Government to the other of intention to terminate it.

I have the honour to be with high consideration Your obedient servant

SIGNATORIES:

ROBERT W. SKIFF
His Excellency

JOHN SMITH

Financial Secretary Honiara British Solomon Islands Protectorate

J. H. SMITH

Financial Secretary.
Mr. ROBERT W. SKIFF,
Charge d'Affaires Embassy of the United States of America Suva. Fiji