    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 3 (Monday, January 25, 1993)]
    [Pages 61-62]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Nuclear Nonproliferation

     January 19, 1993

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)

        I have reviewed the activities of the United States Government
    departments and agencies during calendar year 1992 relating to
    preventing nuclear proliferation, and I am pleased to submit my annual
    report pursuant to section 601(a) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act
    of 1978 (Public Law 95-242, 22 U.S.C. 3281(a)).
        The accomplishments of the past year provide a fitting capstone to
    this Administration's efforts to stem the spread of nuclear weapons.
    These efforts were provided additional focus on July 13, when I issued a
    statement setting forth a number of initiatives as well as a clear
    framework of guiding principles for our nonproliferation policy.
        Global norms and institutions have strengthened this year.
    Membership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has grown to 155,
    including the last declared two nuclear weapon states: France and China.
    The three Baltic states as well as two of the newly-independent states
    have also joined the Treaty, while three others--Ukraine, Belarus, and
    Kazakhstan--committed to do so ``in the shortest possible time.'' The
    United States increased its support for the International Atomic Energy
    Agency, which sought to strengthen its safeguards system in response to
    its experience in Iraq.
        In addressing regional dangers, the United States also joined with
    the international community to continue to support efforts to destroy
    Iraq's nuclear weapons program under U.N. Security Council resolutions
    and to press North Korea to honor its nonproliferation commitments.
    Focusing on the Middle East, the five permanent members of the U.N.
    Security Council agreed to interim guidelines to restrain destabilizing
    transfers of arms and technologies related to weapons of mass
    destruction, while the arms control and regional security talks provided
    an unprecedented forum for countries in that troubled region to address
    these issues face to face. The United States held talks separately with
    India and Pakistan in the hope of stemming a nuclear arms race in South
    Asia. Meanwhile, the United States has been gratified by steps taken by
    countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa to join
    international nonproliferation regimes.
        We have worked hard to address the proliferation concerns arising
    from the break-up of the Soviet Union and its domination of Eastern
    Europe. With the firm support of the Congress, we are developing
    assistance to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan to support the
    safety and security of the dismantlement of nuclear weapons in the
    former Soviet Union. The U.S. has also provided assistance to Russia and
    Ukraine in developing systems for physical protection and material
    accounting and control for materials removed from nuclear warheads. In
    August, U.S. negotiators initialed an agreement to seek recovery of
    highly-enriched uranium from the former Soviet nuclear arsenal and
    dilute it to commercial reactor fuel with no military implications. In
    collaboration with our allies, we fostered the creation of science and
    technology centers in Moscow and Kiev to prevent the outflow of nuclear
    weapons expertise from the former Soviet Union, and provided export
    control and reactor safety assistance to the states of Eastern Europe
    and the former Soviet Union.

    [[Page 62]]

        These accomplishments constitute a solid contribution to continuing
    international efforts to stem nuclear proliferation and to promote the
    peace and security of all nations. Nevertheless, proliferation remains a
    significant and growing concern that will require even more attention,
    energy, and resources in the years ahead.
        Sincerely,
                                                       George Bush

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate.