501.AC/8–646

The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs ( Kerno ) to the Legal Adviser ( Fahy )

My Dear Mr. Fahy: The United Nations Secretariat is receiving an increasing number of questions from Delegations accredited to the United Nations with regard to privileges and immunities accorded in the United States. These questions, which are of growing concern to us, will be disposed of when the general convention on privileges and immunities and the convention on the site come into force. However, it is apparent that a considerable interval will elapse before these instruments can be made effective. In the meantime, the convening of the General Assembly will most probably cause increasing difficulties in this regard. While the United States legislation has proved helpful, experience has shown that it is incomplete, and that some further regulation is necessary.

I should like to propose to you that consideration be given in the Very near future to the conclusion of an interim agreement on privileges and immunities which might contain certain of the provisions in the general convention, and in the draft convention on the site. Such an interim agreement might have a duration of six months to a year.

I should very much appreciate having your views on this proposal.

Sincerely yours,

Ivan Kerno