[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 21 (Monday, May 31, 1999)]
[Pages 979-980]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate on Ratification of the Amended Mines Protocol of 
the Convention on Conventional Weapons

May 24, 1999

To the Senate of the United States:

    I am gratified that the United States Senate has given its advice 
and consent to the ratification of the Amended Mines Protocol of the 
Convention on Conventional Weapons.
    The Senate and my Administration, working together, reached 
agreement on a detailed resolution of advice and consent to 
ratification, including 13 conditions covering issues of significant 
interest and concern. I will implement these provisions. I will, of 
course, do so without prejudice to my Constitutional authorities. A 
condition in a resolution of advice and consent to ratification cannot 
alter the allocation of authority and responsibility under the 
Constitution, for both the Congress and the President.

[[Page 980]]

    I am grateful to Majority Leader Lott, Minority Leader Daschle, and 
Senators Helms, Biden, Leahy, and the many others who have assisted in 
this ratification effort. It is clear that the practical result of our 
work together on the Protocol will well serve the critical humanitarian 
interest of protecting civilians from the dangers posed to them by 
landmines, as well as the imperative requirements of ensuring the safety 
and effectiveness of U.S. military forces. In this spirit, I express my 
hope that the Protocol will lead to further sound advances in the 
development of the international law of armed conflict.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
May 24, 1999.