Office of the Historian

501.AC/3–849

The Secretary of State to the Attorney General of the United States (Clark)

Washington, March 8, 1949.

My Dear Mr. Attorney Gereral: Reference is made to the Headquarters Agreement between the United States and the United Nations, as approved Public Law 357, 80th Congress.

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In recent weeks applications for temporary visitor’s visas have been made to United States consulates abroad, by individuals coming within Section 11(4) of the Headquarters Agreement (“representatives of non-governmental organizations recognized by the United Nations for the purpose of consultation under Article 71 of the Charter”) who apart from the Agreement would appear to be inadmissible under the immigration laws. In these cases the Department of State has authorized the issuance of limited visas marked “valid for transit from port of entry to United Nations headquarters and return for departure abroad”. It is anticipated that similar cases may arise involving other individuals to categories 11(3), 11(4) or 11(5) of the Agreement, and these individuals may also receive limited visas of the kind indicated.

The United Nations has requested that the individuals in question be admitted to the United States for purposes connected with the activities of the United Nations. In view of this request, of the provisions of the Headquarters Agreement, and of the obligations of the United States as host to the United Nations, any unnecessary obstacles or delays in the admission of these individuals would be embarrassing to this government in its relations with the United Nations, and perhaps with the governments of which the individuals concerned are nationals.

The Department of State would appreciate, therefore, if you would issue instructions to the immigration authorities at the ports of entry to honor promptly the limited visas of the kind indicated, and to permit the individuals in question to enter the United States for transit to and from the United Nations headquarters district and for sojourn therein and in its immediate vicinity.

Sincerely yours,

For the Secretary of State:
John E. Peurifoy

Assistant Secretary