    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [February 9, 1999]
    [Pages 183-184]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the Romania-United States
    Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation Agreement With Documentation
    February 9, 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 Agreement for Cooperation
    Between the Government of the United States of America and the
    Government of Romania Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, with
    accompanying annex and agreed minute. I am also pleased to transmit my
    written approval, authorization, and determination concerning the
    agreement, and the memorandum of the Director of the United States Arms
    Control and Disarmament Agency with the
    Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement concerning the agreement. The
    joint memorandum submitted to me by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy, which includes a summary of the provisions of the
    agreement and various other attachments, including agency views, is also
    enclosed.
        The proposed agreement with Romania has been negotiated in
    accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended by the Nuclear
    Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 and as otherwise amended. In my judgment,
    the proposed agreement meets all statutory requirements and will advance
    the nonproliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United
    States. The agreement provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful
    nuclear cooperation between the United States and Romania under
    appropriate conditions and controls reflecting our common commitment to
    nuclear nonproliferation goals. Cooperation until now has taken place
    under a series of supply agreements dating back to 1966 pursuant to the
    agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and
    the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
        The Government of Romania supports international efforts to prevent
    the spread of nuclear weapons to additional countries. Romania is a
    party to the Treaty on the Nonproliferation to Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and
    has an agreement with the IAEA for the application of full-scope
    safeguards to its nuclear program. Romania also subscribes to the
    Nuclear Suppliers Group

    [[Page 184]]

    guidelines, which set forth standards for the responsible export of
    nuclear commodities for peaceful use, and to the guidelines of the NPT
    Exporters Committee (Zangger Committee), which oblige members to require
    the application of IAEA safeguards on nuclear exports to nonnuclear
    weapon states. In addition, Romania is a party to the Convention on the
    Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, whereby it agrees to apply
    international standards of physical protection to the storage and
    transport of nuclear material under its jurisdiction or control.
    Finally, Romania was one of the first countries to sign the
    Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
        I believe that peaceful nuclear cooperation with Romania under the
    proposed new agreement will be fully consistent with, and supportive of,
    our policy of responding positively and constructively to the process of
    democratization and economic reform in Central Europe. Cooperation under
    the agreement also will provide opportunities for U.S. business on terms
    that fully protect vital U.S. national security interests.
        I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested
    agencies in reviewing the proposed agreement 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 agreement and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress
    give it favorable consideration.
        Because this agreement meets all applicable requirements of the
    Atomic Energy Act, as amended, for agreements for peaceful nuclear
    cooperation, I am transmitting it to the Congress without exempting it
    from any requirements contained in section 123 a. of that Act. 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 immediately the 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 section 123 d. shall commence.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    February 9, 1999.