[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S2765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 110-16

  Mr. DODD. 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 8, 2008, by the President of 
the United States: Amendments to the Constitution and Convention of the 
International Telecommunication Union (Geneva, 1992), (Treaty Document 
No. 110-16.)
  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 amendments to the Constitution 
and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union (Geneva, 
1992), as amended by the Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto, 1994) and 
the Plenipotentiary Conference (Marrakesh, 2002), together with the 
declarations and reservations by the United States, all as contained in 
the Final Acts of the Plenipotentiary Conference (Antalya, 2006). I 
transmit also, for the information of the Senate, the report of the 
Department of State concerning the amendments.
  The Plenipotentiary Conference (Antalya, 2006) adopted amendments 
that, among other things: clarify the functions of certain 
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) officials and bodies; 
reduce the frequency of certain ITU conferences; clarify eligibility 
for re-election to certain ITU positions; enhance oversight of the ITU 
budget and provide for results-based (as well as cost-based) budget 
proposals; expand the scale of available contribution levels for Member 
States and Sector Members; and, clarify the definition of and role of 
observers participating in ITU proceedings.
  Consistent with longstanding practice in the ITU, the United States, 
in signing the 2006 amendments, made certain declarations and 
reservations. Subject to those declarations and reservations, I believe 
the United States should ratify the 2006 amendments to the 
International Telecommunication Union Constitution and Convention. 
These amendments will contribute to the ITU's ability to adapt to 
changes in the global telecommunications sector and, in so doing, serve 
the needs of the United States Government and United States industry. 
It is my hope that the Senate will take early action on this matter and 
give its advice and consent to ratification.
                                                      George W. Bush.  
The White House, April 8, 2008.

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