    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [June 19, 1996]
    [Page 932]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 932]]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the International Natural Rubber
    Agreement
    June 19, 1996

    To the Senate of the United States:
        I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, the International Natural Rubber Agreement, 1995, done at
    Geneva on February 17, 1995. The Agreement was signed on behalf of the
    United States on April 23, 1996. The report of the Department of State
    setting forth more fully the Administration's position is also
    transmitted, for the information of the Senate.
        As did its predecessors, the International Natural Rubber Agreement,
    1995 (INRA), seeks to stabilize natural rubber prices without distorting
    long-term market trends and to assure adequate natural rubber supplies
    at reasonable prices. The U.S. participation in INRA, 1995, will also
    respond to concerns expressed by U.S. rubber companies that a transition
    period is needed to allow industry time to prepare for a free market in
    natural rubber and to allow for the further development of alternative
    institutions to manage market risk. The new Agreement incorporates
    improvements sought by the United States to help ensure that it fully
    reflects market trends and is operated in an effective and financially
    sound manner.
        The Agreement is consistent with our broad foreign policy
    objectives. It demonstrates our willingness to engage in a continuing
    dialogue with developing countries on issues of mutual concern and
    embodies our belief that long-run market forces are the appropriate
    determinants of prices and resource allocations. It will also strengthen
    our relations with the ASEAN countries, since three of them--Malaysia,
    Indonesia, and Thailand--account collectively for approximately 80
    percent of world production of natural rubber.
        Therefore, I urge the Senate to give this Agreement prompt
    consideration and its advice and consent to ratification to enable the
    United States to deposit its instrument of ratification as soon as
    possible.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    June 19, 1996.