[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 6 (Monday, February 15, 1999)]
[Pages 219-220]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Transmitting the Romania-United States Treaty on 
the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy With Documentation

February 9, 1999

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) and (d)), the text of a proposed Agreement for Cooperation 
Between the Government of the United States of America and the 
Government of Romania Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, with 
accompanying annex and agreed minute. I am also pleased to transmit my 
written approval, authorization, and determination concerning the 
agreement, and the memorandum of the Director of the United States Arms 
Control and Disarmament Agency with the Nuclear Proliferation Assessment 
Statement concerning the agreement. The joint memorandum submitted to me 
by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy, which includes a 
summary of the provisions of the agreement and various other 
attachments, including agency views, is also enclosed.
    The proposed agreement with Romania has been negotiated in 
accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended by the Nuclear 
Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 and as otherwise amended. In my judgment, 
the proposed agreement meets all statutory requirements and will advance 
the nonproliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United 
States. The agreement provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful 
nuclear cooperation between the United States and Romania under 
appropriate conditions and controls reflecting our common commitment to 
nuclear nonproliferation goals. Cooperation until now has taken place 
under a series of supply agreements dating back to 1966 pursuant to the 
agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and 
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
    The Government of Romania supports international efforts to prevent 
the spread of nuclear weapons to additional countries. Romania is a 
party to the Treaty on the Nonproliferation to Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and 
has an agreement with the IAEA for the application of full-scope 
safeguards to its nuclear program. Romania also subscribes to the 
Nuclear Suppliers Group guidelines, which set forth standards for the 
responsible export of nuclear commodities for peaceful use, and to the 
guidelines of the NPT Exporters Committee (Zangger Committee), which 
oblige members to require the application of IAEA safeguards on nuclear 
exports to nonnuclear weapon states. In addition, Romania is a party to 
the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, whereby 
it agrees to apply international standards of physical protection to the 
storage and transport of nuclear material under its jurisdiction or 
control. Finally, Romania was one of the first countries to sign the 
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
    I believe that peaceful nuclear cooperation with Romania under the 
proposed new agreement will be fully consistent with, and supportive of, 
our policy of responding positively and constructively to the process of 
democratization and economic reform in Central Europe. Cooperation under 
the agreement also will provide opportunities for U.S. business on terms 
that fully protect vital U.S. national security interests.
    I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested 
agencies in reviewing the proposed agreement and 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

[[Page 220]]

and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress give it 
favorable consideration.
    Because this agreement meets all applicable requirements of the 
Atomic Energy Act, as amended, for agreements for peaceful nuclear 
cooperation, I am transmitting it to the Congress without exempting it 
from any requirements contained in section 123 a. of that Act. 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 and House International Relations Committees 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.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
February 9, 1999.