Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 56 Part 2.djvu/541

This page needs to be proofread.

1622 Sovereignty re- tained by Republic of Liberia. Jurisdiction of United States. Postal facilities and cammissary stores. Exemption from customs duties, taxes, ete. Respect for native law, icstoms, etc. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [56 STAT. ARTICLE 2 The Republic of Liberia retains sovereignty over all such airports, fortifications and other defense areas as may be established under the rights above granted. The Government of the United States during the life of this Agreement shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any such airports and defense areas in Liberia and over the military and civilian personnel of the Government of the United States and their families within the airports, fortifications and other defense areas, as well as over all other persons within such areas except Liberian citizens. It is understood, however, that the Government of the United States may turn over to the Liberian authorities for trial and punish- ment any person committing an offense in such defense areas. And the Liberian authorities will turn over to the United States authori- ties for trial and punishment any of the United States military or civilian personnel and their families who may commit offenses ;out- side such defense areas. The Liberian authorities and the United States authorities will take adequate measures to insure the prosecu- tion and punishment in cases of conviction of all such offenders, it being understood that the relevant evidence shall be furnished reciprocally to the two authorities. ARTICLE 3 It is agreed that the Government of the United States shall have the right to establish and maintain postal facilities and commissary stores to be used solely by the military and civilian personnel of the United States Government and their families stationed in Liberia in connection with this Agreement and with such aid in the defense of Liberia as the Government of the United States may furnish. ARTICLE 4 All materials, supplies and equipment for the construction, use and operation of said airports of the United States Government and for the personal needs of the military and civilian personnel and their families, shall be permitted entry into Liberia free of customs duties, excise taxes, or any other charges, and the said personnel and their families shall also be exempt from all forms of taxes, assessments and other levies by the Liberian Government and authorities, in- cluding exemption from Liberian regulations pertaining to passports, visas and residence permits. The Government of the United States undertakes to respect all legitimate interests of Liberia and of Liberian citizens, as well as all the laws, regulations and customs relating to the native population and the internal administration of Liberia. In exercising the rights derived from this Agreement, the Government of the United States undertakes to give sympathetic consideration to all representations made by the Liberian authorities with respect to the welfare of the inhabitants of Liberia.