    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [April 30, 2003]
    [Pages 404-405]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting Amendments to the Constitution and
    Convention of the International Telecommunication Union
    April 30, 2003

    To the Senate of the United States:
        I transmit herewith for Senate advice and consent to ratification,
    the amendments to the Constitution and Convention of the International
    Telecommunication Union (ITU) (Geneva 1992), as amended by the
    Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto 1994), together with declarations and
    reservations by the United States as contained in the Final Acts of the
    Plenipotentiary Conference (Minneapolis 1998). I transmit also, for the
    information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State
    concerning these amendments.
        Prior to 1992, and as a matter of general practice, previous
    Conventions of the ITU were routinely replaced at successive
    Plenipotentiary Conferences held every 5 to 10 years. In 1992, the ITU
    adopted a permanent Constitution and Convention. The Constitution
    contains fundamental provisions on the organization and structure of the
    ITU, as well as substantive rules applicable to international
    telecommunications matters. The ITU Convention contains provisions
    concerning the functioning of the ITU and its constituent organs.
        Faced with a rapidly changing telecommunication environment, the ITU
    in 1994 adopted a few amendments to the 1992 Constitution and
    Convention. These amendments were designed to enable the ITU to respond
    effectively to new challenges posed.

    [[Page 405]]

        The pace at which the telecommunication market continues to evolve
    has not eased. States participating in the 1998 ITU Plenipotentiary
    Conference held in Minneapolis submitted numerous proposals to amend the
    Constitution and Convention. As discussed in the attached report of the
    Department of State concerning the amendments, key proposals included
    the following: amendments to clarify the rights and obligations of
    Member States and Sector Members; amendments to increase private sector
    participation in the ITU with the understanding that the ITU is to
    remain an intergovernmental organization; amendments to strengthen the
    finances of the ITU; and amendments to provide for alternative
    procedures for the adoption and approval of questions and
    recommendations.
        Consistent with longstanding practice in the ITU, the United States,
    in signing the 1998 amendments, made certain declarations and
    reservations. These declarations and reservations are discussed in the
    report of the Department of State, which is attached hereto.
        The 1992 Constitution and Convention and the 1994 amendments thereto
    entered into force for the United States on October 26, 1997. The 1998
    amendments to the 1992 Constitution and Convention as amended in 1994
    entered into force on January 1, 2000, for those states, which, by that
    date, had notified the Secretary General of
    the ITU of their approval thereof. As of the beginning of this year, 26
    states had notified the Secretary General of the ITU of their approval
    of the 1998 amendments.
        Subject to the U.S. declarations and reservations mentioned above, I
    believe the United States should ratify the 1998 amendments to the ITU
    Constitution and Convention. They will contribute to the ITUs ability to
    adapt to a rapidly changing telecommunication environment and, in doing
    so, will serve the needs of the United States Government and U.S.
    industry.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to these amendments and that the Senate give its advice and consent to
    ratification.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     April 30, 2003.