    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [August 2, 1996]
    [Page 1248]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1248]]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the United Nations Convention
    To Combat Desertification
    August 2, 1996

    To the Senate of the United States:
        I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in
    Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification,
    Particularly in Africa, with Annexes, adopted at Paris, June 17, 1994,
    and signed by the United States on October 14, 1994. The report of the
    Department of State is also enclosed for the information of the Senate.
        The purpose of the Convention is to combat desertification and
    mitigate the effects of drought on arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid
    lands through effective action at all levels. In particular, the
    Convention addresses the fundamental causes of famine and food
    insecurity in Africa, by stimulating more effective partnership between
    governments, local communities, nongovernmental organizations, and aid
    donors, and by encouraging the dissemination of information derived from
    new technology (e.g., early warning of impending drought) to farmers.
        The United States has strongly supported the Convention's innovative
    approach to combatting dryland degradation. I believe it will help
    Africans and others to make better use of fragile resources without
    requiring increased development assistance. Ratification by the United
    States would promote effective implementation of the Convention and is
    likely to encourage similar action by other countries whose
    participation would also promote effective implementation.
        United States obligations under the Convention would be met under
    existing law and ongoing assistance programs.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to this Convention and its Annexes, with the declaration described in
    the accompanying report of the Secretary of State, and give its advice
    and consent to ratification.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    August 2, 1996.