March 31, 2003
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I have the honor to refer to the Extradition Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the Treaty) signed today. I have the honor to propose that the Treaty be applied in accordance with the provisions set out in this Letter.
With regard to Article 22(2)(b) of the Treaty, the United States notes that Article 29 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties regarding the Territorial Scope of Treaties states: “Unless a different intention appears from the treaty or is otherwise established, a treaty is binding upon each party in respect of its entire territory.” The entire territory of the United States encompasses, in addition to the fifty states and the District of Columbia: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Wake Island.
If the above proposal is acceptable to the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, I have the honor to propose that this Letter and your reply to that effect will place on record the understanding of our two Governments on the matter, which will come into operation on the date of entry into force of the Treaty.
Sincerely,
A personal signature appears here
John Ashcroft
Attorney General
United States Department
of Justice
