dodis.ch/49371Note der Botschaft der USA in Bern an das Politische Departement1

The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Federal Political Department and has the honor to state the following. The United States and Cuban Governments have been discussing the possibility of opening Interests Sections in the Embassies of their respective protecting powers in Havana and Washington. We have kept the Swiss Embassies in Washington and Havana advised of these discussions as they developed2. Notes were exchanged in New York on May 30 by Vice Foreign Minister Torras for Cuba and Acting Assistant Secretary Luers for the US agreeing to the opening of such Interests Sections subject to the approval of the Swiss and Czech Governments.

The formal status and operations of the Interests Sections we envisage are based on our experience with such sections in a number of Near Eastern countries, including a former US Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy in Algiers3. This would involve resumption of the use of the US Residence and Chancery buildings by American personnel assigned to the Swiss Embassy in Havana. Buildings will fly flags and bear emblems of protecting power.

During discussions on arrangement for exchanging Interests Sections and inviolability of buildings, the Cubans insisted that entry will not be permitted without the consent of the heads of the Interests Sections. We pointed out that this was implicit in the right of Interests Sections to have their own codes and diplomatic couriers, but agreed to this condition subject to Swiss concurrence.

If agreeable to the Swiss Government, we plan to send a survey team to Havana in the near future to consult with Ambassador Serra about the operations of a US Interests Section in his Embassy and to discuss a mutually convenient time for resuming American occupancy of the American properties in Havana, as well as other practical details4.

The Government of the United States of America requests approval of the Government of the Confederation of Switzerland to the opening of a US Interests Section in the Embassy of Switzerland in Havana as soon as convenient for the four Governments concerned5.

The Government of the United States of America takes this occasion to thank the Government of the Confederation of Switzerland for its diligent and effective representation of United States interests in Cuba since 19616 and expresses confidence that American personnel in the US Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy in Havana will maintain a correct and harmonious relationship with the Swiss Ambassador and members of his staff.