[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 21 (Monday, May 25, 1998)]
[Pages 952-953]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting the Inter-American Convention for the 
Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, With Annexes and 
Documentation

May 22, 1998

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 Inter-American Convention for the 
Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles, with Annexes, done at 
Caracas December 1, 1996, (the ``Convention''), which was signed by the 
United States, subject to ratification, on December 13, 1996. I also 
transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of the Secretary 
of State with respect to the Convention.
    All species of sea turtles found in the Western Hemisphere are 
threatened or endangered, some critically so. Because sea turtles 
migrate extensively, effective protection and conservation of these 
species requires cooperation among States within the sea turtles' 
migratory range. Although the international community has banned trade 
in sea turtles and sea turtle products pursuant to the Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the 
Convention I am transmitting is the first multilateral agreement that 
actually sets standards to protect and conserve sea turtles and their 
habitats.

[[Page 953]]

    In section 609 of Public Law 101-162, the Congress called for the 
negotiation of multilateral agreements for the protection and 
conservation of sea turtles. In close cooperation with Mexico, the 
United States led a 3-year effort to negotiate the Convention with other 
Latin American and Caribbean nations. Once ratified and implemented, the 
Convention will enhance the conservation of this hemisphere's sea 
turtles and harmonize standards for their protection.
    I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration 
to the Convention and give its advice and consent to its ratification.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
May 22, 1998.