ITALY-RELIEF PROGRAM-JULY 4, 1947 free to indigents, institutions and others will not be subject to any fiscal charges payable by the recipients. Article IV (A): With respect to the word "collection" in the English text of the Agreement, it is the intent and explicit provision of the Act of Congress and of the Agreement that during the period of time relief is received under the Act the recipient Governments shall insofar as possible take the economic measures necessary to reduce their relief needs. This would involve, in the case of food items such as cereals and olive oil, maximum efforts by the Italian Government to bring into its amassing system whatever amounts can feasibly be collected. On the other hand, it is not the intention of the United States Government to require Italian Government-administered amassing of items that do not lend themselves to this technique or have not previously been so collected. The meaning of the English word "collection" in these instances will depend upon the particular com- modity in question and the determination of the most appropriate and practical methods to promote flow of the locally produced sup- plies to consumers in such a manner as to assure that all classes of consumers, regardless of purchasing power, receive their fair share (although not necessarily an equal share) of the supplies, and that in no event shall there be discrimination as to race, creed or political belief. This therefore becomes a matter to be worked out in Rome between the Italian Government and the United States Embassy, for each commodity included in the relief program. Article IV (D): The Italian Government has pointed out its desire of reserving maximum autonomy and flexibility in facing its economic difficulties. The United States Government wishes to make clear that nothing in Article IV(D)is intended to derogate Italian inde- pendence or sovereignty in taking the economic measures demanded by situations that may arise, so long as the spirit of cooperation and goodwill are observed in the implementation of this Agreement. In earlier discussions held between representatives of the Unlited States Government and the Italian Government regarding this Article IV (D), considerable attention was directed to the problem of exporting commodities such as olive oil, rice and seed wheat. These questions, although generally pertinent to Article IV (D), are particularly per- tinent to Articles II (D), IV (B), and IX (4). My Government has authorized me to furnish you the following legal opinion. I believe that this interpretation adequately covers the points raised by the Italian Government in the general discussions on Article IV (D): "If a portion of such supplies or articles (i.e ., articles produced locally or imported from outside sources that are of the same character or similar to the United States relief supplies), even though sub- stitutable for United States relief supplies could be exported in exchange for corresponding or greater quantities of other items also substitutable for United States relief items, the relief needs of the country could be more adequately met . . . . . . Thus, a locally pro- duced quantity of rice might be exchangeable for a greater quantity 3149 Ante, p. 3142. Ante, p. 3142 . A nte. pp . 3140. 3142, 3146. 61 STAT.]
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