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ANNEX II.

Short Title ABC—3.

UNITED STATES LEASED BASES.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM REGARDING LOCAL DEFENSE.

August 30, 1941.

General.

THE terms of this Agreement shall apply to the following Territories: Great Exuma, Bermuda, Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia, Trinidad and British Guiana.

2. The Leased Bases are of vital importance to the United States in the general defense of its homeland and of the Western Hemisphere. This wider defense plan is therefore of necessity primarily the concern of the United States. The Territories in which the Leased Bases lie are also of capital importance to the British Empire in its own Empire Defense scheme, being situated on trade routes which are vital to the British Empire's existence and being an essential element in their defense. These Territories also contain valuable materials necessary to the British war effort. The United States and the United Kingdom are therefore mutually interested and concerned in the defense of the Leased Bases and the Territories in which they lie.

3. This Agreement is limited to the purely local defense of the Leased Bases and the Territories in which they lie.

4. Collaboration of the Local Defense Forces of both the Associated Powers and the Civil Administrations shall be by mutual co-operation. Unity of command of the Local Defense Forces of both Powers shall be established under the circumstances described in Article 17 of this Agreement.

Local Combined Defense Committee.

5. A Local Combined Defense Committee shall be formed at each of the Territories concerned to co-ordinate the Military and Civil Defense Plans into a Local Combined Defense Plan (Scheme), which shall be submitted to the higher United States and British authorities shown on the diagram (Enclosure) for approval.

6. The Governor of the Territory shall be the convening authority and preside over the Local Combined Defense Committee. He shall convene the Committee when he thinks necessary or at the request of any of the following:

(a) Either of the United States or British High Commands directly

concerned;

(b) The Senior United States or British Commanders of any of the Local

Defense forces.

7. The Local Combined Defense Committee, besides the Governor, shall include-

(a) The Senior Officers of the Local United States Army and Navy defense

forces.

(b) The Senior Officers of the Local British Navy, Army and Royal Air

Force defense forces.

(c) Such other local military and civil authorities as may be found necessary

to serve on the Committee from time to time in an advisory capacity. [23159]

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