343. Editorial Note
At its 48th session in London April 3–5, 1967, the International Wheat Council adopted a Protocol for the Further Extension of the 1962 International Wheat Agreement until July 31, 1968. (Circular note, April 27; Department of State, Central Files, INCO–WHEAT 4) Foy D. Kohler, Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, who had author-ized negotiation of the Protocol on March 31, approved on May 24 the U.S. signature of the Protocol. The 1967 Protocol was treated as an executive agreement rather than a treaty, which was consistent with the procedure used in 1965 to extend the International Sugar Agreement. The purpose of the Protocol was to serve as a bridge to cover the interval between the expiration of the 1962 Agreement and final action on a new [Page 819] arrangement covering wheat on which agreement in principle had recently been reached as part of the Kennedy Round negotiations in Geneva. The 1967 Protocol could be terminated prior to July 31, 1968, if a new arrangement was adopted earlier. (Memorandum from Solomon to Secretary Rusk, May 23; ibid.) Protocols negotiated in 1965 and 1966 (see Documents 260 and 316) had earlier extended the 1962 International Wheat Agreement until July 31, 1967. Regarding the 1965 extension of the International Sugar Agreement, see Documents 295 and 312.
For text of the 1967 Protocol, which was signed by the United States on May 31 and entered into force on July 16, see 18 UST 1699.
The meeting of the International Wheat Conference in Rome July 12–August 18, 1967, reached agreement on the latter date on the text of a new International Grains Arrangement to replace the International Wheat Agreement, 1962. It would come into force on July 1, 1968, and would be open for signature October 15–November 30, 1967. (Telegram 909 from Rome, August 19; Department of State, Central Files, INCO–WHEAT 4)
Regarding approval of the International Grains Arrangement by the U.S. Government, see Document 354.