[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
[November 8, 1999]
[Pages 2025-2026]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing Legislation To Locate and Secure the Return of 
Zachary Baumel and Israeli Soldiers Missing 
in Action
November 8, 1999

    Today I have signed into law H.R. 1175, ``An Act to locate and 
secure the return of Zachary Baumel, a United States citizen, and other 
Israeli soldiers missing in action.'' I deeply sympathize with the 
families of the missing soldiers and have made the resolution of these 
cases a priority throughout my Administration. The United States remains 
determined to pursue every concrete lead to ascertain their fate. We 
will continue to consult closely with the families

[[Page 2026]]

and the Government of Israel in our long effort to resolve this 
important issue. We will also continue to raise this issue with other 
governments in our search for answers.
    I believe that two sections of the bill must be carefully construed 
to avoid constitutional and practical problems. Specifically, section 
2(a) of the bill states that ``the Secretary of State shall continue to 
raise the matter of Zachary Baumel, Yehuda Katz, 
and Zvi Feldman on an urgent basis with 
appropriate government officials'' of certain foreign governments. To 
the extent that this provision can be read to direct the Secretary of 
State to take certain positions in communications with foreign 
governments, it interferes with my sole constitutional authority over 
the conduct of diplomatic negotiations. Therefore, this provision will 
be treated as precatory.
    In addition, section 3 of the bill would require the Secretary of 
State to report to the Congress on efforts taken with regard to section 
2(a) and additional information obtained about the individuals named in 
section 2(a). I sign this bill with the understanding that this section 
does not detract from my constitutional authority to withhold 
information relating to diplomatic communications or other national 
security information.
    Section 3(b) of the bill would require the Secretary of State to 
report to the Congress not later than 15 days after receiving ``any 
additional credible information'' relating to the missing servicemen. 
Because there could well be a delay between the receipt of information 
and the determination that such information is ``credible'', I regard 
the 15-day period as commencing upon that determination.

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,

November 8, 1999.

Note: H.R. 1175, approved November 8, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
89. This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
November 9.