[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.