[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 121 (Thursday, September 16, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S11048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT 106-10

  Mr. LOTT. 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 September 16, 1999, by the 
President of the United States:
  1997 Amendment to Montreal Protocol (Treaty Document 106-10).
  I further ask 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 the 
President's message be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  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 Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that 
Deplete the Ozone Layer (the ``Montreal Protocol''), adopted at 
Montreal on September 15-17, 1997, by the Ninth Meeting of the Parties 
to the Montreal Protocol. The report of the Department of State is also 
enclosed for the information of the Senate.
  The principal features of the 1997 Amendment, which was negotiated 
under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), 
are the addition of methyl bromide to the substances that are subject 
to trade control with non-Parties; and the addition of a licensing 
requirement for import and export of controlled substances. The 1997 
Amendment will constitute a major step forward in protecting public 
health and the environment from potential adverse effects of 
stratospheric ozone depletion.
  By its terms, the 1997 Amendment was to have entered into force on 
January 1, 1999, provided that at least 20 states had deposited their 
instruments of ratification, acceptance, or approval. However, because 
this condition was not met until August 12, 1999, the 1997 Amendment 
will enter into force on November 10, 1999.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
the 1997 Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and give its advice and 
consent to ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, September 16, 1999.

                          ____________________