    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 22, 1998]
    [Page 833]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 833]]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Inter-American Convention for the
    Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles
    May 22, 1998

    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 Inter-American Convention for the
    Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, with Annexes, done at
    Caracas December 1, 1996, (the ``Convention''), which was signed by the
    United States, subject to ratification, on December 13, 1996. I also
    transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the Secretary
    of State with respect to the Convention.
        All species of sea turtles found in the Western Hemisphere are
    threatened or endangered, some critically so. Because sea turtles
    migrate extensively, effective protection and conservation of these
    species requires cooperation among States within the sea turtles'
    migratory range. Although the international community has banned trade
    in sea turtles and sea turtle products pursuant to the Convention on
    International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the
    Convention I am transmitting is the first multilateral agreement that
    actually sets standards to protect and conserve sea turtles and their
    habitats.
        In section 609 of Public Law 101-162, the Congress called for the
    negotiation of multilateral agreements for the protection and
    conservation of sea turtles. In close cooperation with Mexico, the
    United States led a 3-year effort to negotiate the Convention with other
    Latin American and Caribbean nations. Once ratified and implemented, the
    Convention will enhance the conservation of this hemisphere's sea
    turtles and harmonize standards for their protection.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to the Convention and give its advice and consent to its ratification.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    May 22, 1998.