    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [October 1, 1996]
    [Pages 1736-1737]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting Amendments to the Convention on the
    International Maritime Organization
    October 1, 1996

    To the Senate of the United States:
        I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to
    acceptance, amendments to the Convention on the International Maritime
    Organization, signed at Geneva, March 6, 1948 (the IMO Convention). The
    amendments were adopted on November 7, 1991, and November 4, 1993, by
    the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its
    seventeenth and eighteenth sessions. I also transmit, for the
    information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State
    describing the amendments, their purpose and effect.
        The United States is the world's largest user of international
    shipping. These amendments strengthen the International Maritime
    Organization's capability to facilitate international maritime traffic
    and to carry out its activities in developing strong maritime safety and
    environmental protection standards and regulations. The IMO's policies
    and maritime standards largely reflect our own. The United States pays
    less than 5 percent of the assessed contributions to the IMO.
        The 1991 amendments institutionalize the Facilitation Committee as
    one of the IMO's standing committees. The Facilitation Committee was
    created to streamline the procedures for the arrival, stay and departure
    of ships, cargo and persons in international ports. This committee
    effectively contributes to greater efficiencies and profits for the U.S.
    maritime sector, while assisting U.S. law enforcement agencies' efforts
    to

    [[Page 1737]]

    combat narcotics trafficking and the threat of maritime terrorism.
        The 1993 amendments increase the size of the IMO governing Council
    from 32 to 40 members. The United States has always been a member of the
    IMO governing Council. Increasing the Council from 32 to 40 Member
    States will ensure a more adequate representation of the interests of
    the more than 150 Member States in vital IMO maritime safety and
    environment protection efforts worldwide.
        The 1991 amendments institutionalize the Facilitation Committee as
    one of the IMO's main committees. The 1993 amendments increase the size
    of the Council from 32 to 40 members, thereby affording a broader
    representation of the increased membership in the IMO's continuing
    administrative body.
        Support for these amendments will contribute to the demonstrated
    interest of the United States in facilitating cooperation among maritime
    nations. To that end, I urge that the Senate give early and favorable
    consideration to these amendments and give its advice and consent to
    their acceptance.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    October 1, 1996.