    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 24, 2001]
    [Pages 1300-1301]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting a Protocol to the Morocco-United
    States Agreement on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
    October 24, 2001

    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), (d)) (the ``Act''), the text of a proposed Protocol Amending
    the Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United
    States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco
    Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy signed at Washington on May
    30, 1980. 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), a classified Annex to the NPAS, prepared
    by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Director of Central
    Intelligence, summarizing relevant classified information, will be
    submitted to the Congress separately.) 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.
        I am informed that the proposed Protocol has been negotiated to be
    in accordance with the Act and other applicable law, to meet all
    statutory requirements, and to advance the nonproliferation and other
    foreign policy interests of the United States.
        The Protocol amends the Agreement for Cooperation Between the
    Government of the United States of America and the Government of the
    Kingdom of Morocco Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy in two
    respects:
        1. It extends the Agreement, which expired by its terms on May 16,
    2001, for an additional period of 20 years, with a 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 nuclear material subject to the Agreement.
        As amended by the proposed Protocol, I am informed that the
    Agreement will continue to meet all requirements of U.S. law.
        Morocco is in the early stages of developing a nuclear research
    program, with support from the United States and the International
    Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The United States firm, General Atomics, is
    currently building the country's first reactor, a small (2 megawatt)
    TRIGA Mark II research reactor that will use low-enriched uranium fuel.
    General Atomics' completion of the project cannot occur without an
    Agreement for Cooperation in force.
        Morocco 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. Morocco is a signatory to
    (but has not yet ratified) the

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    Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which
    establishes international standards of physical protection for the
    storage and transport of nuclear material.
        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 immediately the consultations with the Senate
    Foreign Relations Committee and House International Relations Committee
    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.

                                                              George W. Bush

    The White House,

    October 24, 2001.

    Note: This message was released on the White House web site on October
    25.