840.50/2978: Telegram
The Chargé in Venezuela (Flack) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:59 p.m.]
1009. Embassy’s despatch No. 5053, November l,37 being transmitted by direct courier to Miami tomorrow morning, encloses copy and translation of formal note from Foreign Minister stating that the following reservation will be made at the time of signature. This information was requested in Department’s circular November 2, 9 p.m.
In accordance with Venezuelan constitutional provisions, the agreement must be submitted to the National Congress before it shall become effective so far as Venezuela is concerned and Foreign Minister adds that the Venezuelan representative will make appropriate reservation at the moment of signing as contemplated in article IX of the agreement.
Foreign Minister adds that after careful examination of text of agreement by Venezuelan Government it accepts the agreement in its present form but considers it appropriate to make the following observations:
- 1.
- Modification of composition of Central Committee mentioned in article III so that other countries in addition to those indicated may enter and form part of the organism.
- 2.
- With regard to the purchase of certain amounts of foodstuffs, supplies, etc., in addition to contributions in kind which the contracting parties obligate themselves to make, it would be well to establish a procedure for these operations assuring equality of treatment among producing countries.
- 3.
- An adequate system of fiscalization or control of the distribution of relief products among the indigent peoples of the war-devastated countries is suggested as well as the desirability of considering that indistinct distribution of relief products might affect the acquisitive capacity of the future import markets of those countries.
- 4.
- Suggestion is also made that general directives calculated to assist the Director General in the selection of numerous personnel required by the Administration might be adopted, giving consideration to geographical distribution as well as the technical ability of the aspirants, thus offering opportunity to serve to capable elements from all contracting parties.
The Foreign Minister concluded that in making the four observations above enumerated, the Venezuelan Government hoped that they would be examined by the United Nations and that they might serve to interpret the agreement itself until such time as amendments might be made.
[Page 1013]Foreign Office confirms today that the sole reservation by Venezuela will be that of subsequent approval by the National Congress mentioned in paragraph 2 above. Foreign Office also states in reply to information given it from Department’s circular October 30, 9 p.m., that Venezuelan Government agrees that it shall be considered as a provisional member until effects of the reservation cited have ceased, and points out that in the case of Venezuela a 6 months’ period of provisional membership would be too short since Congress will not convene until April 19 and the three prescribed discussions in each chamber would preclude definitive action before May 9, 1944.
[The agreement was signed at the White House on November 9, 1943, on behalf of forty-four governments or authorities representing the United Nations or nations associated with the United Nations in the war. It was signed on behalf of fourteen governments with a reservation or statement to the effect, in each case, that the agreement was signed subject to ratification or legislative approval. All forty-four Governments, with the exception of the Iraqi Government, subsequently ratified the agreement. For text of the agreement, including reservations, see Department of State Executive Agreement Series No. 352, or 57 Stat. (pt. 2) 1164.
For recommendations of President Roosevelt and the Secretary of State for congressional appropriation of funds for United States participation in the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, see Department of State Bulletin, November 20, 1943, page 372, and ibid., December 11, 1943, page 416.]
- Missing from Department files.↩