[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34121-34122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13973]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 7916]


Designation and Determination Pursuant to the Foreign Missions 
Act Concerning the Designation of Entities in the United States That 
Are Substantially Owned or Effectively Controlled by the Government of 
Azerbaijan as Foreign Missions and the Determination That Property 
Transactions on the Part of Such Entities Are Subject to Foreign 
Mission Act Regulation

    In order to adjust for costs and procedures of obtaining benefits 
for the United States Embassy in Azerbaijan and to protect the 
interests of the United States, pursuant to the authority vested in the 
Secretary of State under the Foreign Missions Act, 22 U.S.C. 4301-4316 
as amended (``the Act''), which has been delegated to me in accordance 
with the Department of State's Delegation of Authority No. 214, dated 
September 20, 1994, I hereby designate the State Oil Company of the 
Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), an entity engaged in activities in the 
United States that is substantially owned or effectively controlled by 
the Government of Azerbaijan and all other entities, including any that 
are

[[Page 34122]]

designated by the Department of State as ``Miscellaneous Foreign 
Government Offices'', as ``foreign missions'' within the meaning of 
Section 4302(a)(3) of the Act. I also determine that the provisions of 
Section 4305 of the Act apply to the acquisition or disposition of real 
property by or on behalf of such entities.
    Pursuant to Section 4305 of the Act, the aforementioned entities 
are obligated to notify and obtain the approval of the Department of 
State's Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) before finalizing a proposed 
acquisition of real property in the United States. Accordingly, all 
such proposals are subject to disapproval by OFM.
    I further determine that such entities shall request approval of 
their proposed acquisitions of real property by transmitting an 
official letter to OFM, which at a minimum includes the following 
information:
    1. The exact physical address of the property;
    2. A description of the proposed use of the property; and
    3. The name and contact information of an individual authorized to 
discuss the proposed property acquisition with OFM.
    Prior to receiving a response from OFM concerning such requests, 
such entities may not enter into a contract for the purchase of real 
property, unless the agreement expressly states that its execution is 
subject to disapproval by the Department of State.
    This determination will remain in effect until such time as the 
Department of State finalizes its acquisition of a new site in Baku, 
Azerbaijan, on which it can construct a secure, safe, and modern 
chancery compound.

    Dated: May 31, 2012.
Eric J. Boswell,
Director, Office of Foreign Missions.
[FR Doc. 2012-13973 Filed 6-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-43-P