[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 38 (Monday, September 23, 1996)]
[Pages 1749-1750]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Transmitting the Constitution and Convention of 
the International Telecommunication Union

September 13, 1996

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 Constitution and Convention of the 
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with Annexes, signed at 
Geneva on December 22, 1992, and amendments to the Constitution and 
Convention, signed at Kyoto on October 14, 1994, together with 
declarations and reservations by the United States as contained in the 
Final Acts. I transmit also, for the information of the Senate, the 
report of the Department of State with respect to the Constitution and 
Convention and the amendments thereto.
    The 1992 Constitution and Convention replace the ITU Convention 
signed in Nairobi in 1982. Prior to the 1992 Constitution and 
Convention, the ITU Convention had been routinely replaced at successive 
Plenipotentiary Conferences every 5 to 10 years. The 1992 Constitution 
and Convention represent the first basic instruments of the ITU intended 
to be permanent. Basic provisions on the organization and structure of 
the ITU and fundamental substantive rules governing international 
telecommunications matters are embodied in the Constitution. The ITU 
Convention is comprised of provisions on the functioning of the ITU and 
its constituent parts.
    The 1992 Constitution and Convention reflect the effort by ITU 
Member countries to restructure the ITU to make it more effective in 
responding to the changes taking place in telecommunications. The United 
States is pleased with the restructuring of the ITU. The changes adopted 
are expected to enable the ITU to meet challenges brought on by the 
dynamic telecommunications environment.
    The 1994 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference was convened less than 4 
months after the entry into force of the Constitution and Convention to 
amend the 1992 Constitution and Convention. Recognizing that more time 
should be allowed to evaluate the extensive changes to the structure of 
the ITU, the Conference adopted only a few minor amendments, which were 
acceptable to the United States.
    In signing the 1992 Constitution and Convention and the 1994 
amendments, the United States made certain declarations and 
reservations. The specific declarations and reservations are discussed 
in the report of the Department of State.
    The 1992 Constitution and Convention entered into force July 1, 
1994, for states which, by that date, had notified the Secretary General 
of the ITU of their approval thereof and, in the same manner, the 
amendments to the Constitution and Convention entered into force on 
January 1, 1996.
    Subject to the U.S. declarations and reservations mentioned above, I 
believe the United States should be a party to the ITU Constitution and 
Convention, as amended. They will improve the efficiency of management 
of the ITU and will allow it to be more responsive to the needs of the 
United States Government and private sector. It is my hope that the 
Senate will take early action on this matter and give its advice and 
consent to ratification.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
September 13, 1996.

Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.

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