[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
[August 4, 1995]
[Pages 1206-1207]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Message to the Congress Transmitting the Bulgaria-United States 
Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
August 4, 1995

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 Between the Government 
of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of 
Bulgaria for Cooperation in the Field of 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 Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria 
under appropriate conditions and controls reflecting our strong common 
commitment to nuclear non-proliferation goals.
    Bulgaria 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. As a 
subscriber to the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) Guidelines, it is 
committed to implementing a responsible nuclear export policy. It played 
a constructive role in the NSG effort to develop additional guidelines 
for the export of nuclear-related dual-use commodities. In 1990 it 
initiated a policy of requiring full-scope International Atomic Energy 
Agency (IAEA) safeguards as a condition of significant new nuclear 
supply to other nonnuclear weapon states.
    I believe that peaceful nuclear cooperation with Bulgaria 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

[[Page 1207]]

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.

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,

August 4, 1995.