    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 12, 2008]
    [Pages 676-677]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the Proposed Russia-United States
    Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
    May 12, 2008

    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 Agreement Between
    the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the
    Russian Federation for Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Uses of
    Nuclear Energy. I am also pleased to transmit my written approval,
    authorization, and determination concerning the Agreement, and a Nuclear
    Proliferation Assessment Statement (NPAS) concerning the Agreement (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 National 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.
        The proposed Agreement has been negotiated in accordance with the
    Act and other applicable law. In my judgment, it meets all applicable
    statutory requirements and will advance the non-proliferation and other
    foreign policy interests of the United States.
        The proposed Agreement provides a comprehensive framework for
    peaceful nuclear cooperation with Russia based on a mutual commitment to
    nuclear non-proliferation. It has a term of 30 years, and permits the
    transfer of technology, material, equipment (including reactors), and
    components for nuclear research and nuclear power production. It does
    not permit transfers of Restricted Data, and permits transfers of
    sensitive nuclear technology, sensitive nuclear facilities, and major
    critical components of such facilities by amendment to the Agreement. In
    the event of termination, key non-proliferation conditions and controls
    continue with respect to material and equipment subject to the
    Agreement.
        The Russian Federation is a nuclear weapon state party to the Treaty
    on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Like the United States, it
    has a ``voluntary offer'' safeguards agreement with the International
    Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). That agreement gives the IAEA the right to
    apply safeguards on all source or special fissionable material at
    peaceful nuclear facilities on a Russia-provided list. The Russian
    Federation is also a party to the Convention on the Physical Protection
    of Nuclear Material, which establishes international standards of
    physical protection for the use, storage, and transport of nuclear
    material. It is also a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, whose non-
    legally binding Guidelines set forth standards for the responsible
    export of nuclear commodities for peaceful use. A more detailed
    discussion of Russia's domestic civil nuclear program and its nuclear
    non-proliferation policies and practices, including its nuclear export
    policies and practices, is provided in the NPAS and in the classified
    annex to the NPAS submitted to the Congress separately.
        I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested
    agencies in reviewing the proposed Agreement and

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    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 Agreement 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 Foreign Affairs 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,

     May 12, 2008.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    May 13.