[Senate Treaty Document 112-2]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


112th Congress
1st Session                     SENATE                     Treaty Doc.
112-2
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     

 
  PROTOCOLS 1, 2, AND 3 TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC NUCLEAR FREE ZONE TREATY

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                  THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

 PROTOCOLS 1, 2, AND 3 TO THE SOUTH PACIFIC NUCLEAR FREE ZONE TREATY, 
    SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES AT SUVA ON MARCH 25, 1996




  May 2, 2011.--Treaty was read the first time, and together with the 
accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations and 
            ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate
                         LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                                      The White House, May 2, 2011.
To the Senate of the United States:
    With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the 
Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith Protocols 1, 2, and 
3 to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (``the 
Treaty''), signed on behalf of the United States at Suva on 
March 25, 1996. I also transmit for the information of the 
Senate the Treaty to which these Protocols relate and the 
Department of State'sOverview of the Protocols, which includes 
a detailed article-by-article analysis of both the Protocols 
and the Treaty.
    Ratification of Protocols 1, 2, and 3 to the Treaty would 
fully support U.S. nonproliferation policy and goals, and I am 
convinced that it is in the best interest of the United States 
to ratify these Protocols. This step will strengthen our 
relations with our South Pacific friends and allies and enhance 
U.S. security by furthering our global nonproliferation and 
arms control objectives. As the Overview of the Department of 
State explains, entry into force of Protocols 1, 2, and 3 for 
the United States would require no changes in U.S. law, policy, 
or practice.
    I recommend that the Senate give favorable consideration to 
Protocols 1, 2, and 3 to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone 
Treaty and give its advice and consent to their ratification, 
subject to the statements described in the Overview of the 
Department of State.

                                                      Barack Obama.
                          LETTER OF SUBMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                                       Department of State,
                                       Washington, DC, May 2, 2011.
The President,
The White House.
    The President: I have the honor to submit to you, with a 
view to their transmittal to the Senate for advice and consent 
to ratification, subject to certain statements, Protocols 1, 2, 
and 3 to the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty (``the 
Treaty''), also known as the Treaty of Rarotonga, which were 
signed on behalf of the United States at Suva, Fiji, on March 
25, 1996. Also enclosed is an Overview of the Protocols, which 
includes a detailed article-by-article analysis of both the 
Protocols and the Treaty to which the Protocols relate.
    These Protocols are consistent with U.S. military practices 
and require no changes in U.S. military operations, strategy, 
or policy. Ratification of Protocols 1, 2, and 3 by the United 
States would fully support U.S. nonproliferation policy and 
goals, and demonstrate the seriousness of the U.S. commitment 
to the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.
    The Departments of Defense and Energy join me in 
recommending that Protocols 1, 2, and 3 of the Treaty be 
submitted to the Senate at an early date for its advice and 
consent to ratification, subject to the recommended statements 
set forth in the attached Overview of the Protocols.
    Respectfully submitted,
                                            Hillary Rodham Clinton.
    Enclosure: As stated.

    
    
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