    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [August 4, 2003]
    [Pages 978-979]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 978]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Agreement Between the
    Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty for Co-operation Regarding Atomic
    Information, With Respect to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and
    Spain
    August 4, 2003

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, consistent with sections
    123 and 144 b. of the Atomic Energy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153 and
    2164(b)), the text of the Agreement between the Parties to the North
    Atlantic Treaty for Co-operation Regarding Atomic Information, including
    a technical annex and security annex (hereinafter collectively referred
    to as the ATOMAL Agreement), as a proposed agreement for cooperation
    within the context of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
    between the United States of America and each of the following four
    members of NATO: the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the
    Republic of Poland, and Spain, hereinafter the ``New Parties.'' I am
    also pleased to transmit my written approval, authorization and
    determination concerning the ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the New
    Parties. The ATOMAL Agreement entered into force on March 12, 1965, with
    respect to the United States and the other NATO members at that time.
    The New Parties have signed this agreement and have indicated their
    willingness to be bound by it. The ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the
    New Parties meets the requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
    amended. While the ATOMAL Agreement continues in force with respect to
    its original parties, for the United States it will not become effective
    as an agreement for cooperation authorizing the exchange of atomic
    information with respect to the New Parties until completion of
    procedures prescribed by sections 123 and 144 b. of the Atomic Energy
    Act of 1954, as amended.
        For more than 35 years, the ATOMAL Agreement has served as the
    framework within which NATO and the other NATO members party to this
    agreement have received the information that is necessary to an
    understanding and knowledge of and participation in the political and
    strategic consensus upon which the collective military capacity of the
    Alliance depends. This agreement permits only the transfer of atomic
    information, not weapons, nuclear material or equipment. Participation
    in the ATOMAL Agreement will give the Czech Republic, the Republic of
    Hungary, the Republic of Poland, and Spain the same standing within the
    Alliance with regard to nuclear matters as that of the other NATO
    members. This is important for the cohesiveness of the Alliance and will
    enhance its effectiveness.
        I have considered the views and recommendations of the Department of
    Defense and other interested agencies in reviewing the ATOMAL Agreement
    and have determined that its performance, including the proposed
    cooperation and the proposed communication of Restricted Data
    thereunder, with respect to the New Parties will promote, and will not
    constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security.
    Accordingly, I have approved the ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the
    New Parties and authorized the Department of Defense to cooperate with
    the New Parties in the context of NATO upon satisfaction of the
    requirements of section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
    amended.
        In accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, I am
    submitting to each house of Congress an authoritative

    [[Page 979]]

    copy of the ATOMAL Agreement as signed by each of the New Parties,
    together with a copy of the letter from the Secretary of Defense
    recommending my approval of the ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the New
    Parties and a copy of my approval letter. The 60-day continuous session
    period provided for in section 123 begins upon receipt of this
    submission.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Richard B. Cheney, President of the
    Senate.