[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S7810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 106-39

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Injunction of Secrecy be removed from the following treaty transmitted 
to the Senate on July 27, 2000, by the President of the United States:
  Treaty with Mexico on Delimitation of Continental Shelf (Treaty 
Document No. 106-39).
  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; that the President's message be printed in the Record; and 
that the Senate return to legislative session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The message of the President is as follows:

                         Letter of Transmittal

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 Treaty Between the Government of 
the United States of America and the Government of the United Mexican 
States on the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf in the Western Gulf 
of Mexico beyond 200 nautical miles. The Treaty was signed at 
Washington on June 9, 2000. The report of the Department of State is 
also enclosed for the information of the Senate.
  The purpose of the Treaty is to establish a continental shelf 
boundary in the western Gulf of Mexico beyond the outer limits of the 
two countries' exclusive economic zones where those limits do not 
overlap. The approximately 135-nautical-mile continental shelf boundary 
runs in a general east-west direction. The boundary defines the limit 
within which the United States and Mexico may exercise continental 
shelf jurisdiction, particularly oil and gas exploration and 
exploitation.
  The Treaty also establishes procedures for addressing the possibility 
of oil and gas reservoirs that extend across the continental shelf 
boundary.
  I believe this Treaty to be fully in the interest of the United 
States. Ratification of the Treaty will facilitate the United States 
proceeding with leasing an area of continental shelf with oil and gas 
potential that has interested the U.S. oil and gas industry for several 
years.
  The Treaty also reflects the tradition of cooperation and close ties 
with Mexico. The location of the boundary has not been in dispute.
  I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to 
this Treaty and give it advice and consent to ratification.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
The White House, July 27, 2000.

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