[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[March 17, 1992]
[Pages 469-470]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Congress Transmitting the Poland-United States Nuclear 
Energy Cooperation Agreement

March 17, 1992
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 Poland Concerning 
Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy with accompanying annex and agreed 
minute. I am also pleased to transmit my written approval, 
authorization, and determination concerning the agreement, and the 
memorandum of the Director of the United States Arms Control and 
Disarmament Agency with the Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement 
concerning the agreement. 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, is also enclosed.
    The proposed agreement with the Republic of Poland 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 Poland 
under appropriate conditions and controls reflecting our strong common 
commitment to nuclear non-proliferation goals.
    Poland has consistently supported international efforts to prevent 
the spread of nuclear weapons. It was an original signatory of the Non-
Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has strongly supported the Treaty. It is 
committed to implementing a responsible nuclear export policy, and 
declared in January 1978 that it intended to apply a full-scope 
safeguards nuclear export requirement. Poland supports the work of the 
NPT Exporters (``Zangger'') Committee and adheres to the Nuclear 
Supplier Guidelines. It is a member of the International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA) and has played a positive role in the Agency's safeguards 
and technical cooperation activities. It has also cooperated with the 
United States and other like-minded members in working to prevent the 
politicization of the Agency. Poland is a party to the Convention on the 
Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.
    I believe that peaceful nuclear cooperation with Poland 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

[[Page 470]]

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 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,
March 17, 1992.