683.11241/37
The Chargé in Egypt (Hare) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 12.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Legation’s despatch no. 2119 of June 3, 1940, enclosing a copy of a note addressed to the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs on May 29, 1940, regarding the matter of customs franchise for American consular officers in Egypt, and to enclose a copy and translation of a note dated June 11, 1940 from the Foreign Office, stating that pending the conclusion of a consular convention between the United States and Egypt, the Egyptian Government is prepared to extend customs exemption to American consular officers in Egypt on the basis of reciprocity.
It will be noted that although the Legation in its note of May 29, 1940 particularly stressed that customs franchise was extended to Egyptian consular officers in the United States without limitation as to number, the Foreign Office’s reply makes no reference to this point. Under ordinary circumstances this matter would have been taken up with the Foreign Office before reporting further on the subject to the Department, but it so happens that the Legation has just been advised that the boat which is to carry the pouch in which this despatch is to be sent is sailing this afternoon, several days in advance of its scheduled departure. A further report on this subject will, therefore, be submitted in due course.
I may add that so far as the Legation is aware, American consular officers in Egypt are the only such officers to whom customs franchise has been restored following the expiration on May 8 of the three-year period specified in the third paragraph of Article 11 of the Montreux Convention.
Respectfully yours,