    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [October 23, 2007]
    [Pages 1377-1378]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Protocol Amending the Convention
    on the International Hydrographic Organization
    October 23, 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 Amendments to the
    Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization done at Monaco
    on April 14, 2005. The Protocol amends the Convention on the
    International Hydrographic Organization, which was done at Monaco on May
    3, 1967, and entered into force for the United States on September 22,
    1970 (TIAS 6933; 21 UST 1857; 752 UNTS 41). I am also transmitting, for
    the information of the Senate, the report of the Secretary of State on
    the Protocol.
        The Protocol will facilitate the reorganization of the International
    Hydrographic Organization (IHO). The IHO, which is a technical and
    consultative international organization headquartered in Monaco,
    facilitates safe and efficient maritime navigation throughout the world.
    It accomplishes these objectives by facilitating the coordination of the
    activities of national hydrographic offices, promoting uniformity in the
    nautical charts and documents generated by such offices, encouraging the
    adoption of reliable surveying methods, and fostering the development of
    the science of hydrography. Reorganization of the IHO will result in a
    more flexible, efficient, and visible organization.
        Ratification of the Protocol would serve important U.S. interests.
    United States commercial shipping, the United States Navy, and the
    scientific research community rely heavily on hydrographic information
    collected and shared under the auspices of the IHO. The United States
    plays an important leadership role in the IHO and as a result enjoys
    expeditious and economical access to this information. Moreover, the
    United States has committed more resources than any other country to
    research, development, and evaluation of hydrographic instruments and
    therefore stands to benefit significantly from the efficiencies
    generated by this reorganization.
        Article XXI of the Convention sets forth the procedure for the
    approval and entry into force of amendments: amendments that are adopted
    or ``approved'' by the Conference enter into force for all Contracting

    [[Page 1378]]

    Parties to the Convention 3 months after two-thirds of the Contracting
    Parties have notified the depositary of the their consent to be bound.
        I recommend that the Senate give prompt and favorable consideration
    to the Protocol and give its advice and consent to ratification.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     October 23, 2007.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    October 24.