Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The British Commonwealth and Europe, Volume III

311.5754 Janko/2

The Norwegian Embassy to the Department of State

Memorandum

The Norwegian Embassy has been instructed by the Royal Norwegian Government to take all requisite steps to assert sovereign immunity in the case: Pankos Operating Company S.A., Libelant,—against—Motortank Vessel “Janko” (otherwise called “Norsktank”¹⁴), her engines, boilers, etc.,—and against O. Nygaard¹⁵ or John Doe, Respondents, pending in United States District Court Eastern District of New York.

A claim of immunity, of which a copy is annexed hereto¹⁶ for the provisional information of the United States State Department, will be filed today with the District Court concerned. The Embassy will approach the State Department again as soon as after further study of the case it shall be in a position to submit such further information thereanent as would seem required in order to be in a position to request the kind assistance of the State Department in establishing the sovereign immunity sought.

Washington , January 16, 1944.

14. The Janko was renamed Norsktank in November 1941 during the Prize Court proceedings of October–November 1941.
15. Appointed Master of the Norsktank in November 1941.
16. Not printed.