    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [June 24, 1999]
    [Pages 999-1000]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting a Protocol to the Canada-
    United States Atomic Energy Agreement With Documentation
    June 24, 1999

    To the Congress of the United States:
        I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to sections 123
    b. and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C.
    2153(b) and (d)), the text of a proposed Protocol Amending the Agreement
    for Cooperation Concerning Civil Uses of Atomic Energy Between the
    Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada
    signed at Washington on June 15, 1955, as amended. I am also pleased to
    transmit my written approval, authorization, and determination
    concerning the Protocol, and an unclassified Nuclear Proliferation
    Assessment Statement (NPAS) concerning the Protocol. (In accordance with
    section 123 of the Act, as amended by Title XII of the Foreign Affairs
    Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-277), I have
    submitted to the Congress under separate cover a classified annex to the
    NPAS, prepared in consultation with the Director of Central
    Intelligence, summarizing relevant classified information.) The joint
    memorandum submitted to me by the Secretary of State and the Secretary
    of Energy and a letter from the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory
    Commission stating the views of the Commission are also enclosed.
        The proposed Protocol has been negotiated in accordance with the
    Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and other applicable law. In my
    judgment, it meets all statutory requirements and will advance the
    nonproliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United
    States.
        The Protocol amends the Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Civil
    Uses of Atomic Energy Between the Government of the United States of
    America and the Government of Canada in two respects:
        1. It extends the Agreement, which would otherwise expire by its
    terms on January 1, 2000, for an additional period of 30 years, with the
    provision for automatic extensions thereafter in increments of 5 years
    each unless either Party gives timely notice to terminate the Agreement;
    and
        2. It updates certain provisions of the Agreement relating to the
    physical protection of materials subject to the Agreement.
        The Agreement itself was last amended on April 23, 1980, to bring it
    into conformity with all requirements of the Atomic Energy Act and the
    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978. As amended by the proposed
    Protocol, it will continue to meet all requirements of U.S. law.
        Canada ranks among the closest and most important U.S. partners in
    civil nuclear cooperation, with ties dating back to the early days of
    the Atoms for Peace program. Canada is also

    [[Page 1000]]

    in the forefront of countries supporting international efforts to
    prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to additional countries. It is a
    party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
    and has an agreement with the IAEA for the application of full-scope
    safeguards to its nuclear program. It also subscribes to the Nuclear
    Supplier Group (NSG) Guidelines, which set forth standards for the
    responsible export of nuclear commodities for peaceful use, and to the
    Zangger (NPT Exporters) Committee Guidelines, which oblige members to
    require the application of IAEA safeguards on nuclear exports to
    nonnuclear weapon states. It is a party to the Convention on the
    Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, whereby it has agreed to apply
    international standards of physical protection to the storage and
    transport of nuclear material under its jurisdiction or control.
        Continued close cooperation with Canada in the peaceful uses of
    nuclear energy, under the long-term extension of the U.S.-Canada
    Agreement for Cooperation provided for in the proposed Protocol, will
    serve important U.S. national security, foreign policy, and commercial
    interests.
        I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested
    agencies in reviewing the proposed Protocol and have determined that its
    performance will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk
    to, the common defense and security. Accordingly, I have approved the
    Protocol and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress give it
    favorable consideration.
        This transmission shall constitute a submittal for purposes of both
    sections 123 b. and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act. My Administration
    is prepared to begin immediate consultations with the Senate Foreign
    Relations and House International Relations Committees as provided in
    section 123 b. Upon completion of the 30-day continuous session period
    provided for in section 123 b., the 60-day continuous session period
    provided for in 123 d. shall commence.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    June 24, 1999.