    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [September 13, 1996]
    [Pages 1565-1566]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Constitution and Convention of
    the International Telecommunication Union
    September 13, 1996

    To the Senate of the United States:
        With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, I transmit herewith the Constitution and Convention of the
    International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with Annexes, signed at
    Geneva on December

    [[Page 1566]]

    22, 1992, and amendments to the Constitution and Convention, signed at
    Kyoto on October 14, 1994, together with declarations and reservations
    by the United States as contained in the Final Acts. I transmit also,
    for the information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State
    with respect to the Constitution and Convention and the amendments
    thereto.
        The 1992 Constitution and Convention replace the ITU Convention
    signed in Nairobi in 1982. Prior to the 1992 Constitution and
    Convention, the ITU Convention had been routinely replaced at successive
    Plenipotentiary Conferences every 5 to 10 years. The 1992 Constitution
    and Convention represent the first basic instruments of the ITU intended
    to be permanent. Basic provisions on the organization and structure of
    the ITU and fundamental substantive rules governing international
    telecommunications matters are embodied in the Constitution. The ITU
    Convention is comprised of provisions on the functioning of the ITU and
    its constituent parts.
        The 1992 Constitution and Convention reflect the effort by ITU
    Member countries to restructure the ITU to make it more effective in
    responding to the changes taking place in telecommunications. The United
    States is pleased with the restructuring of the ITU. The changes adopted
    are expected to enable the ITU to meet challenges brought on by the
    dynamic telecommunications environment.
        The 1994 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference was convened less than 4
    months after the entry into force of the Constitution and Convention to
    amend the 1992 Constitution and Convention. Recognizing that more time
    should be allowed to evaluate the extensive changes to the structure of
    the ITU, the Conference adopted only a few minor amendments, which were
    acceptable to the United States.
        In signing the 1992 Constitution and Convention and the 1994
    amendments, the United States made certain declarations and
    reservations. The specific declarations and reservations are discussed
    in the report of the Department of State.
        The 1992 Constitution and Convention entered into force July 1,
    1994, for states which, by that date, had notified the Secretary General
    of the ITU of their approval thereof and, in the same manner, the
    amendments to the Constitution and Convention entered into force on
    January 1, 1996.
        Subject to the U.S. declarations and reservations mentioned above, I
    believe the United States should be a party to the ITU Constitution and
    Convention, as amended. They will improve the efficiency of management
    of the ITU and will allow it to be more responsive to the needs of the
    United States Government and private sector. It is my hope that the
    Senate will take early action on this matter and give its advice and
    consent to ratification.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    September 13, 1996.