
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 22USC504]

 
               TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE
 
                    CHAPTER 10--HEMISPHERAL RELATIONS
 
                         SUBCHAPTER I--GENERALLY
 
Sec. 504. Transfer of hemisphere territory from one non-American 
        power to another; recognition; consultation with American 
        Republics
        
    (1) The United States would not recognize any transfer, and would 
not acquiesce in any attempt to transfer, any geographic region of this 
hemisphere from one non-American power to another non-American power; 
and
    (2) If such transfer or attempt to transfer should appear likely, 
the United States shall, in addition to other measures, immediately 
consult with the other American republics to determine upon the steps 
which should be taken to safeguard their common interests.

(Apr. 10, 1941, ch. 49, 55 Stat. 133.)


                          Purpose of Enactment

    The ``whereas'' clauses preceding the resolving words in Joint Res. 
Apr. 10, 1941, provided as follows:
    ``Whereas our traditional policy has been to consider any attempt on 
the part of non-American powers to extend their system to any portion of 
this hemisphere as dangerous to the peace and safety not only of this 
country but of the other American republics; and
    ``Whereas the American republics agreed at the Inter-American 
Conference for the Maintenance of Peace held in Buenos Aires in 1936 and 
at the Eighth International Conference of American States held in Lima 
in 1938 to consult with one another in the event that the peace, 
security, or territorial integrity of any American republic should be 
threatened; and
    ``Whereas the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the American 
Republics at Panama October 3, 1939, resolved `That in case any 
geographic region of America subject to the jurisdiction of any non-
American state should be obliged to change its sovereignty and there 
should result therefrom a danger to the security of the American 
Continent, a consultative meeting such as the one now being held will be 
convoked with the urgency that the case may require':''.
