[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.