ITALY-CLAIMS-FEB. 14 , 1948 tionality should also be accompanied by a certification by a local official of the Italian Government. 4. No Military Payment Orders will be accepted which appear to have been altered or tampered with in any manner. However, con- sideration may be given to statements submitted which contain ex- planations of such alteration or tampering of such a nature as clearly to warrant payment of the amount involved. 5. All Military Payment Orders and Certificates of Credit col- lected will be retained by the United States Government for its oflicial records. 6. Legal heirs of deceased Prisoners-of-War, or person or persons authorized under Italian law to bind an estate in event of death or legal disability will be entitled to payment of Military Payment Orders or Certificates of Credit issued by the United States Govern- ment to Prisoners-of-War now deceased or under legal disability, and who at the time of their death were nationals of Italy, provided the steps indicated in Annex I are taken. 7. Legal heirs of a deceased Prisoner-of-War, or person or per- sons authorized under Italian law to bind his estate in event of death or legal disability will, in addition, execute appropriate certificates as indicated in Annexes I and II, attached to this Memorandum. The question of whether holders of Certificates shall immediately receive payment in local currency or whether they shall in the first instance receive receipts pending the final working-out of arrange- ments respecting settlement between the United States and Italy is a matter for decision by the Italian Governnmeit. Howevrer, the United States Government does not undertake to pay dollars for counterfeit or improperly documented Certificates of Credit :nd Milittary Paymnent Orders. All such Certificates of Credit and Mi littary lPaylment Orders discovered by the United States G(overn- nlmlt slubsequenllt to transfer-by the Italian (Government and payment therefor in dollars will be subject to refund in dollars from the Italian Government to the United States Government. All payments made under the above procedure will be free of de- ductions, commissions and charges. The Italian Government will apply the rate of exchange prevailing on the dollar for United States Government expenditures on the date of announcement of the agreed procedure for conversion of Certificates of Credit and Military Pay- ment Orders. Holders of Military Payment Orders and Certificates of Credit turned in subsequent to the date of public announcement should be required to sign a statement such as is provided in Annex III to this Memorandum. The United States Government desires the Italian Government to expedite in every way possible the collection of these instruments over a reasonable period of time. The Italian Government will es- tablish a deadline of two months from the date of public announce- ment of agreed procedure for the presentation of Military Payment Post, p. 3866 Pout, p. 3866. Counterfeit or Ini properly documented certificates and orders. Payments free of deductions, conmmis- sions, and charses. Post, p. 3857. Time limitation. 3855 62 STAT.]
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