The calendar year 1955 budget of the Organization amounts to $2,243,000, an increase of $143,000 over 1954. However an amount of $143,000 is to be obtained from the working fund thereby maintaining assessments to members at $2 million, the same as the previous year. The United States percentage of 66 percent likewise is the same as the previous year.

Statutory authorization

Ratification of the Pan American Sanitary Convention (44 Stat. 2041) signed at Havana, Cuba, November 14, 1924.

PAN AMERICAN UNION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES,

1 In 1954 miscellaneous income was used to build up the working capital fund. In 1955 miscellaneous income in excess of $27,000 was used to further strengthen the position of the working capital fund.

The fiscal year 1956 budget of the organization was approved by the Council of the Organization of American States in the amount of $3,565,320. This is approximately $370,000 higher than 1955 as compared with the estimates submitted by the Secretary General which were approximately $513,000 higher than the fiscal year 1955 level. The increase is attributable to the need for strengthening the program and operations of the Union. The United States share of this increase at 66 percent amounts to $247,750.

Statutory authorization

Ratification of the charter of the Organization of American States on July 16, 1951 (T. I. A. S. 2361; 2 U S. T. 2394).

CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

It is estimated that a total of $288,709 will be required in the fiscal year 1956 to meet the obligation of the United States to support the budgets of international organizations not falling within the United Nations or inter-American categories. The stated amount is to provide funds for the payment by the United States of its annual share of the expenses of certain international organizations from which it derives substantial benefits, and to whose maintenance it is obligated to contribute annually by reason of its membership deriving from conventions, treaties, or special acts of Congress. The number of organizations in this category is increased by one, the International Sugar Council set up under the authority of the International Sugar Agreement approved by the Senate April 28, 1954, and ratified by the President April 29, 1954.

The following table indicates the amounts provided for United States contribution to other international organizations:

1 These are calculated percentages since assessments are made on an absolute basis rather than on a percentage basis. The United States share is set at $18,000 which, at the approximate rate of 4.30 Swiss francs to the dollar, amounts to 77,400 Swiss francs.

Due to the statutory limitation on the amount which may be appropriated for this purpose only $15,000 is requested. Legislation raising the statutory limitation from $15,000 to $18,000 has been submitted to the Congress.

Statutory authorization

Act of June 28, 1935, as amended by Public Law 409, 80th Congress, approved February 6, 1948 (62 Stat. 19; 22 U. Š. C. 276).

CAPE SPARTEL AND TANGIER LIGHT, COAST OF MOROCCO

1 The Moroccan franc exchange rate is a fluctuating rate but has not been less favorable to the United States recently than the 370 to $1 which has been used for the purposes of this estimate.

It is estimated that for both 1955 and 1956 the cost of operating the Cape Spartel and Tangier Light will amount to 9 million Moroccan francs, and that the cost will be assessed equally against the 12 signatory powers-Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, Germany, and Austria. The shares of Germany and Austria are paid by the French Moroccan Government.

Statutory authorization

The treaty of May 31, 1865 (14 Stat. 679), between the United States and certain other governments and the Sultan of Morocco.

CARIBBEAN COMMISSION, PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD, BRITISH WEST INDIES Obligations:

The assessment budget for the calendar year 1955 is $343,275, approximately the same as the budget for the calendar year 1954. It is anticipated that the assessment budget for the calendar year 1956 will be about $345,000.

Due to the fact that this estimate is on a split-year basis the United States share of the calendar year 1955 budget is reflected equally in the fiscal year 1955 and 1956 estimates. The increase in the fiscal year 1956 request of $1,072 is one-half of the United States share (38.4 percent) of a $1,615 increase in the calendar year 1956 estimated budget as compared with the calendar year 1954 budget or $310 plus the fact that there was a $762 credit due the United States against its 1954 assessment which is not anticipated for 1956.

Statutory authorization

Public Law 431, 80th Congress (22 U. S. C. 280h).

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU OF THE PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION, THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS

The assessment budget for the calendar year 1955 totals 101,000 florins. The United States contributes 25 units out of a total of 522. On this basis it is estimated that the United States share of the expenses for the calendar year 1955 will be 4,838 florins which, at the rate of approximately 26.5 cents to 1 florin amounts to $1,282.

Statutory authorization

The Hague Conventions of 1899 (T. S. 392; 32 Stat. 1779) and 1907 (T. S. 536; 36 Stat. 2199).

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU FOR THE PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY, BERN, SWITZERLAND

The United States is assessed 25 units out of a total of 473 units, or approximately 5 percent. The United States share for the calendar year 1955 (fiscal year 1956) is estimated at the same amount as for 1953 and 1954, 11,745 Swiss francs or $2,745.

However, the United States interprets the relevant articles of the present convention as limiting its obligation to its share of a maximum annual assessment budget of 140,000 Swiss francs until such time as a conference is called, within the meaning of article 14 of the convention, for the purpose of raising that limitation. On the basis of this interpretation, the unit value would be approximately 300 Swiss francs and the United States share 7,500 Swiss francs or approximately $1,767. Therefore, although the United States share of the expenses of the Bureau for the calendar year 1955 (fiscal year 1956) is estimated at $2,745 only $1,767 is being requested.

Statutory authorization

Convention of 1883 (25 Stat. 1372; Treaty Series 379) and subsequent agreement of 1934 (53 Stat. 1748; Treaty Series 941).

INTERNATIONAL Bureau for tHE PUBLICATION OF CUSTOMS TARIFFS, BRUSSELS,

The United States assessment is set at 6,833 gold francs which is 5.47 percent of a basic budget of 125,000 gold francs. However, due to the voluntary revisions in other Government assessments since 1890 the total assessments had risen to 159,642 gold francs in 1952. However, the United States assessment remained 6,833 gold francs which is 4.28 percent of total assessments. The organization's fiscal year is April 1 to March 31.

A protocol to the convention of 1890 was adopted at a conference held in Brussels in 1949. The protocol provides for an increase in the maximum annual budget to 500,000 gold francs. The United States has not yet adhered to the protocol. The protocol has been submitted to the Senate for ratification and should the United States adhere, its assessment would be 53 units out of 1,031 (about 5 percent) or $8,650 (26,500 gold francs at the rate of 0.3267 cents). Statutory authorization

The convention forming the International Bureau for the Publication of Customs Tariffs ratified by the United States December 17, 1890 (26 Stat. 1520).

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU OF Weights and MEASURES, SEVRES, FRANCE