[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 39 (Monday, April 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 105-4

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous 
consent that the injunction of secrecy be removed from the following 
treaty transmitted to the Senate on April 7, 1997, by the President of 
the United States: International Grains Agreement, 1995, Treaty 
Document No. 105-4.
  I further ask unanimous consent 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 Grains Trade Convention and Food 
Aid Convention constituting the International Grains Agreement, 1995, 
open for signature at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, from 
May 1 through June 30, 1995. The Conventions were signed by the United 
States on June 26, 1995. I transmit also for the information of the 
Senate, the report of the Department of State with respect to the 
Conventions.
  The Grains Trade Convention, 1995, replaces the Wheat Trade 
Convention, 1986, and maintains the framework for international 
cooperation in grains trade matters. It also continues the existence of 
the International Grains Council.
  The Food Aid Convention, 1995, replaces the Food Aid Convention, 
1986, and renews commitments of donor member states to provide minimum 
annual quantities of food aid to developing countries.
  The International Grains Council and the Food Aid Committee granted 
the United States (and other countries) a 1-year extension of time in 
which to deposit its instruments of ratification, and have permitted 
the United States in the meantime to continue to participate in the 
organizations.
  It is my hope that the Senate will give prompt and favorable 
consideration to the two Conventions, and give its advice and consent 
to ratification so that ratification by the United States can be 
effected and instruments of ratification deposited at the earliest 
possible date.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, April 7, 1997.

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