    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [April 16, 1991]
    [Pages 376-377]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 376]]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the Hungary-United States Nuclear
    Energy Cooperation Agreement
    April 16, 1991

    To the Congress of the United States:
        I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to sections 123
    b. and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C.
    2153(b), (d)), the text of a proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between
    the United States of America and the Republic of Hungary Concerning
    Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy with accompanying annex and agreed
    minute. I am also pleased to transmit copies of my written approval,
    authorization, and determination concerning the agreement; the
    memorandum of the Director of the United States Arms Control and
    Disarmament Agency with the Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement
    concerning the agreement; and the joint memorandum submitted to me by
    the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy, which includes a
    summary of the provisions of the agreement and various other
    attachments, including agency views.
        The proposed agreement with the Republic of Hungary has been
    negotiated in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended
    by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 and as otherwise amended.
    In my judgment, the proposed agreement meets all statutory requirements
    and will advance the non-proliferation and other foreign policy
    interests of the United States. It provides a comprehensive framework
    for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and Hungary
    under appropriate conditions and controls reflecting our strong common
    commitment to nuclear non-proliferation goals.
        Hungary has always been a strong supporter of nuclear non-
    proliferation. It was an original signatory of the 1968 Non-
    Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has consistently and actively supported
    the Treaty in subsequent years. Hungary has been a member of the
    International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since the Agency's inception
    and has given firm and consistent support to the Agency's program of
    nuclear safeguards. It has also cooperated with the United States in
    efforts to prevent the politicization of the Agency. In the field of
    physical security, Hungary has implemented responsible measures
    governing its own nuclear program, and has ratified the Convention on
    the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials. Hungary is also committed
    to implementing a responsible nuclear export policy and to establishing
    a multilateral system of nuclear-related dual-use export controls. It
    adheres to the NPT Exporters Committee (``Zangger Committee'')
    Guidelines and to the London Nuclear Supplier Guidelines, and its
    nuclear exports are also guided by a requirement for full-scope
    safeguards from recipients.
        I believe that peaceful nuclear cooperation with Hungary under the
    proposed agreement will be fully consistent with, and supportive of, our
    policy of responding positively and constructively to the process of
    democratization and economic reform in Eastern Europe. Cooperation under
    the agreement will also provide opportunities for U.S. business on terms
    that fully protect vital U.S. national security interests.
        I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested
    agencies in reviewing the proposed agreement and have determined that
    its performance will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable
    risk to, the common defense and security. Accordingly, I have approved
    the agreement and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress
    give it favorable consideration.
        Because this agreement meets all applicable requirements of the
    Atomic Energy Act, as amended, for agreements for peaceful nuclear
    cooperation, I am transmitting it to the Congress without exempting it
    from any requirement contained in section 123 a. of that Act. This
    transmission shall constitute a submittal for purposes of both sections
    123 b. and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act. The Administration is
    prepared to begin immediately the consultations with the Senate Foreign
    Relations and House

    [[Page 377]]

    Foreign Affairs Committees as provided in section 123 b. Upon completion
    of the 30-day continuous session period provided for in section 123 b.,
    the 60-day continuous session period provided for in section 123 d.
    shall commence.

                                                                 George Bush

    The White House,
    April 16, 1991.