MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU CONCERNING THE PROGRAM OF THE PEACE CORPS IN VANUATU

(Port Vila, 2 October 1989)

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 2 OCTOBER 1989

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

1. The Government of the United States will furnish such Peace Corps Volunteers as may be requested by the Government of Vanuatu and approved by the Government of the United States to perform mutually agreed tasks in the Republic of Vanuatu. The Volunteers will work under the immediate supervision of governmental or private organizations designated by mutual agreement of both 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 Republic of Vanuatu 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 Republic of Vanuatu; 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 Republic of Vanuatu will exempt the Volunteers from all taxes on payments which they receive to defray their living costs and on income from sources outside the Republic of Vanuatu, from all customs duties or other taxes or other charges on their personal property introduced into Vanuatu for their own use at or about the time of their arrival, and up to six months thereafter, and from all other taxes or other charges (including immigration fees) except license fees and those 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 are needed to enable the Volunteers to perform their tasks effectively. The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu will exempt from all taxes, customs duties and other taxes, all equipment and supplies introduced into or acquired in Vanuatu by the Government of the United States, or any contractor financed by it, for use hereunder. For the purposes of this agreement, "contractor" financed by the United States shall mean United States private individuals, organizations or universities, under contract with the Peace Corps for assistance in the administration of Peace Corps programs, and their personnel.

4. To enable the Government of the United States to discharge its responsibilities under this agreement, the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu 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 Republic of Vanuatu. The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu will exempt such persons from all taxes on income derived from their Peace Corps work or sources outside Vanuatu, and from all taxes or other charges (including immigration fees) except license fees and those included in the prices of equipment, supplies and services. Except as may be specifically approved, the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu will accord the Peace Corps Representative and his staff exemption from payment of customs duties or other charges on personal property, including one vehicle, introduced into Vanuatu for their own use. This exemption is limited to personal property imported at or about the time of their arrival and up to six months thereafter. United States private organizations performing functions hereunder shall receive the same treatment with respect to payment of customs or other charges on personal property individuals bring into the Republic for their own use as is accorded Volunteers hereunder.

5. The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu will exempt from investment and deposit requirements and currency controls all funds introduced into the Republic of Vanuatu for use hereunder by the Government of the United States or contractors financed by it. Such funds shall be convertible into currency of the Republic of Vanuatu at highest rate that is not unlawful in the Republic of Vanuatu.

6. Appropriate representatives of our two governments may make in the future such arrangements with respect to Peace Corps Volunteers and Peace Corps programs in Vanuatu as they deem necessary or desirable for a better application of this Agreement under circumstances not provided for by it or for the implementation of this agreement. The undertakings of each government herein are subject to the availability of funds and to the applicable laws of that government.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING DULY AUTHORIZED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS, HAVE SIGNED THIS AGREEMENT.
 
Done at Port Vila, in duplicate, this 2nd Day of October, 1989.

SIGNATORIES:

For the Government of the United States of America:
Everett E. Bierman
 
For the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu:
Donald Kalpokas