[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[May 23, 1994]
[Pages 979-980]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Congress Reporting on Chemical and Biological Weapons 
Proliferation
May 23, 1994

To the Congress of the United States:
    On November 16, 1990, in light of the dangers of the proliferation 
of chemical and biological weapons, President Bush issued Executive 
Order No. 12735, and declared a national emergency under the 
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701, et seq.). 
Under section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 
1622(d)), the national emergency terminates on the anniversary date of 
its declaration unless the President publishes in the Federal Register 
and transmits to the Congress a notice of its continuation. On November 
12, 1993, I extended the national emergency on the basis that the 
proliferation of chemical and biological weapons continues to pose an 
unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign 
policy of the United States.
    Section 204 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and 
section 401(c) of the National Emergencies Act contain periodic 
reporting requirements regarding activities taken and money spent 
pursuant to an emergency declaration. The following report is made 
pursuant to those provisions. Additional information on chemical and 
biological weapons proliferation is contained in the report to the 
Congress provided pursuant to the Chemical and Biological Weapons 
Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991.

[[Page 980]]

    The three export control regulations issued under the Enhanced 
Proliferation Control Initiative are fully in force and continue to be 
used to control the export of items with potential use in chemical or 
biological weapons (CBW) or unmanned delivery systems for weapons of 
mass destruction.
    During the last 6 months, the United States has continued to address 
actively in its international diplomatic efforts the problem of the 
proliferation and use of CBW.
    More than 150 nations have signed the Chemical Weapons Convention 
(CWC) and a number have already ratified it. On November 23, 1993, I 
submitted the CWC to the Senate for its advice and consent to 
ratification. I have urged all nations, including the United States, to 
ratify the Convention quickly so that it can enter into force at the 
earliest possible date of January 13, 1995. We also have continued to 
urge those countries that have not signed the Convention to do so. The 
United States plays a leading role in the work of the CWC Preparatory 
Commission headquartered in The Hague, to elaborate the technical and 
administrative procedures for implementing the Convention.
    The United States participated actively in the Ad Hoc Group of 
Government Experts convened by the Third Biological Weapons Review 
Conference to identify and examine potential verification measures. The 
consensus final report of the experts group will be considered at a 
Special Conference of States Parties, to be held September 19-30, 1994. 
The United States supports the holding of a Special Conference and will 
promote new transparency measures to help strengthen the Convention.
    The membership of the Australia Group (AG) of countries cooperating 
against CBW proliferation stands at 25. At the December 1993 meeting of 
the AG, members reiterated their commitment to comprehensive and global 
chemical and biological disarmament, which can only be achieved by the 
early entry into force and effective and universal implementation of the 
CWC and full compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention. In this 
context, members stressed the importance of encouraging the widest 
possible adherence to the CWC.
    Experts at the December AG meeting also discussed ways of 
implementing CBW export controls more effectively. The Group considered 
streamlining licensing procedures applicable to mixtures and small 
quantities of precursor chemicals, with a view to facilitating 
legitimate trade without increasing the risk of contributing to 
potential weapons production. It also took steps to enhance cooperation 
in enforcement of existing controls.
    The United States Government determined that three commercial 
entities in Thailand had engaged in chemical weapons proliferation 
activities that required the imposition of trade sanctions against the 
entities, effective on February 8, 1994. Additional information on this 
determination is contained in a classified report to the Congress 
provided pursuant to the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and 
Warfare Elimination Act of 1991.
    Progress also was made in the steps taken by countries outside the 
AG to extend chemical weapons-related export controls. For example, the 
Royal Thai Government adopted regulations to prevent the export of Thai 
laborers to programs of CBW concern. Poland enacted legislation to 
implement controls on CBW-related items.
    Pursuant to section 401(c) of the National Emergencies Act, I report 
that there were no additional expenses directly attributable to the 
exercise of authorities conferred by the declaration of the national 
emergency.

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,

May 23, 1994.