[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 9, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 103-23

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous 
consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from two treaties 
with the United Kingdom establishing maritime boundaries between our 
respective Caribbean Territories (Treaty Document No. 103-23), 
transmitted to the Senate by the President today; and ask that the 
treaties be considered as having been read the first time; that they be 
referred, with accompanying papers, to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations and ordered to be printed; and that the President's message 
be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The message of the President is as follows:

To the Senate of the United States:
  I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, the Treaty Between the United States and the United 
Kingdom on the Delimitation in the Caribbean of a Maritime Boundary 
Relating to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Anguilla and the Treaty Between 
the United States and United Kingdom on the Delimitation in the 
Caribbean of a Maritime Boundary Relating to Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin 
Islands and the British Virgin Islands, with Annex. Both treaties were 
signed at London, November 5, 1993. I also enclose for the information 
of the Senate the report of the Department of State with respect to 
these agreements.
  The treaties establish maritime boundaries between the United States 
and the United Kingdom relating to our respective Caribbean 
territories. One treaty creates a 288 nautical mile long boundary 
between the United States territories of Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin 
Islands and the British Virgin Islands. The other treaty establishes a 
maritime boundary 1.34 nautical miles in length situated about 40 
nautical miles from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Anguilla.
  The boundaries define the limits within which each Party may exercise 
maritime jurisdiction. In the treaty creating a boundary with the 
British Virgin Islands, this includes territorial sea, fishing, and 
exclusive economic zone jurisdiction. The boundary with Anguilla 
separates fishing and exclusive economic zone jurisdiction.
  I believe the treaties to be fully in the interest of the United 
States. They reflect the tradition of cooperation and close ties the 
Parties have had in this region. These boundaries have never been 
disputed. The boundary lines established by the treaties formalize the 
practice that both Parties have followed since 1977 concerning these 
maritime limits. In establishing the equidistant boundaries, both sides 
have worked closely together in applying modern surveying techniques 
and precise technical calculations. The treaties will permit more 
effective regulating of marine resource activities and other ocean 
uses.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
these treaties and advice and consent to ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, March 9, 1994.

                          ____________________