[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 126 (Friday, September 13, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S10566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 104-34

  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask 
unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the 
Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication 
Union [ITU], with annexes, signed at Geneva on December 22, 1992, 
Treaty Document No. 104-34, transmitted to the Senate by the President 
on September 13, 1996; that the treaty be considered as having been 
read the first time; that it 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:
  With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, I transmit herewith the Constitution and Convention of 
the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with Annexes, signed 
at Geneva on December 22, 1992, and amendments to the Constitution and 
Convention, signed at Kyoto on October 14, 1994, together with 
declarations and reservations by the United States as contained in the 
Final Acts. I transmit also, for the information of the Senate, the 
report of the Department of State with respect to the Constitution and 
Convention and the amendments thereto.
  The 1992 Constitution and Convention replace the ITU Convention 
signed in Nairobi in 1982. Prior to the 1992 Constitution and 
Convention, the ITU Convention had been routinely replaced at 
successive Plenipotentiary Conferences every 5 to 10 years. The 1992 
Constitution and Convention represent the first basic instruments of 
the ITU intended to be permanent. Basic provisions on the organization 
and structure of the ITU and fundamental substantive rules governing 
international telecommunications matters are embodied in the 
Constitution. The ITU Convention is comprised of provisions on the 
functioning of the ITU and its constituent parts.
  The 1992 Constitution and Convention reflect the effort by ITU Member 
countries to restructure the ITU to make it more effective in 
responding to the changes taking place in telecommunications. The 
United States is pleased with the restructuring of the ITU. The changes 
adopted are expected to enable the ITU to meet challenges brought on by 
the dynamic telecommunications environment.
  The 1994 ITU Plenipotentiary Conferences was convened less than 4 
months after the entry into force of the Constitution and Convention to 
amend the 1992 Constitution and Convention. Recognizing that more time 
should be allowed to evaluate the extensive changes to the structure of 
the ITU, the Conference adopted only a few minor amendments, which were 
acceptable to the United States.
  In signing the 1992 Constitution and Convention and the 1994 
amendments, the United States made certain declarations and 
reservations. The specific declarations and reservations are discussed 
in the report of the Department of State.
  The 1992 Constitution and Convention entered into force July 1, 1994, 
for states which, by that date, had notified the Secretary General of 
the ITU of their approval thereof and, in the same manner, the 
amendments to the Constitution and Convention entered into force on 
January 1, 1996.
  Subject to the U.S. declarations and reservations mentioned above, I 
believe the United States should be a party to the ITU Constitution and 
Convention, as amended. They will improve the efficiency of management 
of the ITU and will allow it to be more responsive to the needs of the 
United States Government and private sector. It is my hope that the 
Senate will take early action on this matter and give its advice and 
consent to ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, September 13, 1996.

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