[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 71 (Monday, April 14, 1997)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 18017-18018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9700]
                        Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 71 / Monday, April 14, 1997 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 18017]]
                Executive Order 13042 of April 9, 1997
Implementing for the United States Article VIII
                of the Agreement Establishing the World Trade
                Organization Concerning Legal Capacity and Privileges
                and Immunities
                By the authority vested in me as President by the
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of
                America, including section 101(b) of the Uruguay Round
                Agreements Act (Public Law 103-465) and section 1 of
                the International Organizations Immunities Act (22
                U.S.C. 288), I hereby implement for the United States
                the provisions of Article VIII of the Agreement
                Establishing the World Trade Organization.
                Section 1. The provisions of the Convention on the
                Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies
                (U.N. General Assembly Resolution 179 (II) of November
                21, 1947, 33 U.N.T.S. 261) shall apply to the World
                Trade Organization, its officials, and the
                representatives of its members, provided: (1) sections
                19(b) and 15, regarding immunity from taxation, and
                sections 13(d) and section 20, regarding immunity from
                national service obligations, shall not apply to U.S.
                nationals and aliens admitted for permanent residence;
                (2) with respect to section 13(d) and section 19(c),
                regarding exemption from immigration restrictions and
                alien registration requirements, World Trade
                Organization officials and representatives of its
                members shall be entitled to the same, and no greater,
                privileges, exemptions, and immunities as are accorded
                under similar circumstances to officers and employees
                of foreign governments, and members of their families;
                (3) with respect to section 9(a) regarding exemption
                from taxation, such exemption shall not extend to taxes
                levied on real property, or that portion of real
                property, which is not used for the purposes of the
                World Trade Organization. The leasing or renting by the
                World Trade Organization of its property to another
                entity or person to generate revenue shall not be
                considered a use for the purposes of the World Trade
                Organization. Whether property or portions thereof are
                used for the purposes of the World Trade Organization
                shall be determined within the sole discretion of the
                Secretary of State or the Secretary's designee; (4)
                with respect to section 25(2)(II) regarding approval of
                orders to leave the United States, ``Foreign Minister''
                shall mean the Secretary of State or the Secretary's
                designee.
                Sec. 2. In addition and without impairment to the
                protections extended above, having found that the World
                Trade Organization is a public international
                organization in which the United States participates
                within the meaning of the International Organizations
                Immunities Act, I hereby designate the World Trade
                Organization as a public international organization
                entitled to enjoy the privileges, exemptions, and
                immunities conferred by that Act, except that section 6
                of that Act, providing exemption from property tax
                imposed by, or under the authority of, any Act of
                Congress, shall not extend to taxes levied on property,
                or that portion of property, that is not used for the
                purposes of the World Trade Organization. The leasing
                or renting by the World Trade Organization of its
                property to another entity or person to generate
                revenue shall not be considered a use for the purposes
                of the World Trade Organization. Whether property or
                portions thereof are used for the purposes of the World
                Trade Organization shall be determined within the sole
                discretion of the Secretary of State or the Secretary's
                designee. This designation is not intended to abridge
                in any respect privileges, exemp-
[[Page 18018]]
                 tions, or immunities that the World Trade Organization
                otherwise enjoys or may acquire by international
                agreements or by congressional action.
                    (Presidential Sig.)
                THE WHITE HOUSE,
                     April 9, 1997.
[FR Doc. 97-9700
Filed 4-11-97; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P