F.A. A1.

102/31.

Rely. No.

Tol. No.

DEPARTEMENT VAN BUITELANDSE SAKE

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

CAPE TOWN.

57 2-1968

Your Excellency,

I have the honour to refer to your letter of

today's date, which, in the agreed English translation, reads as follows:

"By Note No. 102/31 of 26th April, 1367, you agreed in principle to the experiments of launching

BOLE balloons from the French Satellite Tracking

Station at Paardefontein near Pretoria by the

National Centre for Space Research (CNES), to be undertaken within the framework of the French Space programme for Scientific and Meteorological

Studies.

These experiments do not form part of the functions of the French Satellite Tracking Station established by Protocol on 6th January, 1964, concluded between the Government of the French

Republic and the Government of the Republic of

South Africa, and especially Article 2 thereof, but are being conducted under direction of the

National Centre for Space Research, an organisation which built and is operating the Station.

In view of the above, I have the honour to propose that te conditions applicable to the experiments be as

follows:

/.....
- 2-

(1) The Government of the Republic of South

Africa authorises the Government of the

French Republic to undertake the expert-

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

grammes of scientific and Meteorological

Studies from che french Satellite Tracking

Station at Paardefontein.

The co-operating organisation nominated by the Government of the French Republic to give effect to this Agreement is the National

Research - the co-operating

organisation nominated by the Government of the Republic of South Africa is the Council for

Scientific and Industrial Research.

Ine Government of the French Republic will furnish to the Government of the Republic of South Africa

all the results of the

scientific studies together with such other information as may be required to enable it to satisfy itself of the nature of tho activities which are being undertaken at the Tracking Station and to check that these activities conform with the South African laws and regulations.

The necessary safety measures will be in conformity with the requirements of the south African Department of transport which reserves the right to frame regulations from time to time in order to ensure the safety of air traffic.

Ine personner, material

and equipment sent

to the Republic of South Africa in connection with the programme will be accorded the same entry facilities as those which were accorded under the terms of the Protocol for the building of the Tracking Station, concluded between the Government of the French Republic and the Government of the Republic of South

Africa and signed in Pretoria on the 6th

January, 1964.

The terms of Articles 4 and 5 of this Protocol are extended to the utilisation and protection of tro radio electric frequencies necessary for the operation of the proposed experiments.

/.....
- 3 -

ine french government guarantees the south

Atrican government against any claim trat may be made in connection with damages occurring as a result of the experiments.

I have the honour to confirm that the understanding

of the South African Government's attitude as set out in the letter quoted above is correct, and that your letter and this reply shall constitute an Agreement between our two Governments.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the renewed

assurance of my highest consideration.

SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN

AFFAIRS.

His Excellency Mr. G. Balay,

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic,

CAPE TOWN.