    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [October 1, 2007]
    [Page 1257]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Protocols to the Convention on
    the Prevention of Maritime Terrorism
    October 1, 2007

    To the Senate of the United States:
        With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, I transmit herewith the Protocol of 2005 to the Convention
    for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime
    Navigation (the ``2005 SUA Protocol'') and the Protocol of 2005 to the
    Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of
    Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf (the ``2005 Fixed
    Platforms Protocol'') (together, ``the Protocols''), adopted by the
    International Maritime Organization Diplomatic Conference in London on
    October 14, 2005, and signed by the United States of America on February
    17, 2006. I also transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report
    of the Department of State with respect to the Protocols.
        The Protocols are an important component in the international
    campaign to prevent and punish maritime terrorism and the proliferation
    of weapons of mass destruction and promote the aims of the Proliferation
    Security Initiative. They establish a legal basis for international
    cooperation in the investigation, prosecution, and extradition of those
    who commit or aid terrorist acts or trafficking in weapons of mass
    destruction aboard ships at sea or on fixed platforms.
        The Protocols establish the first international treaty framework for
    criminalizing certain terrorist acts, including using a ship or fixed
    platform in a terrorist activity, transporting weapons of mass
    destruction or their delivery systems and related materials, and
    transporting terrorist fugitives. The Protocols require Parties to
    criminalize these acts under their domestic laws, to cooperate to
    prevent and investigate suspected crimes under the Protocols, and to
    extradite or submit for prosecution persons accused of committing,
    attempting to commit, or aiding in the commission of such offenses. The
    2005 SUA Protocol also provides for a ship-boarding regime based on flag
    state consent that will provide an international legal basis for
    interdiction at sea of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery
    systems and related materials, and terrorist fugitives.
        I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration
    to the Protocols, subject to certain understandings that are described
    in the accompanying report of the Department of State.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     October 1, 2007.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    October 2.