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

<R04>
Message to the Congress Reporting on Conditions of the Amended Mines 
Protocol of the Convention on Conventional Weapons

May 24, 1999

To the Congress of the United States:

    In accordance with the resolution of advice and consent to 
ratification of the Amended Protocol on Prohibitions or Restrictions on 
the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices, together with its 
Technical Annex, adopted by the Senate of the United States on May 20, 
1999, I hereby certify that:
    In connection with Condition (1)(B), Pursuit Deterrent Munition, the 
Pursuit Deterrent Munition shall continue to remain available for use by 
the United States Armed Forces at least until January 1, 2003, unless an 
effective alternative to the munition becomes available.
    In connection with Condition (6), Land Mine Alternatives, in 
pursuing alternatives to United States anti-personnel mines or mixed 
anti-tank systems, I will not limit the types of alternatives to be 
considered on the basis of any criteria other than those specified in 
the sentence that follows. In pursuit of alternatives to United States 
anti-personnel mines, or mixed anti-tank systems, the United States 
shall seek to identify, adapt, modify, or otherwise develop only those 
technologies that (i) are intended to provide military effectiveness 
equivalent to that provided by the relevant anti-personnel mine, or 
mixed anti-tank system; and (ii) would be affordable.
    In connection with Condition (7), Certification with Regard to 
International Tribunals, with respect to the Amended Mines Protocol, the 
Convention on Conventional Weapons, or any future protocol or amendment 
thereto, the United States shall not recognize the jurisdiction of any 
international tribunal over the United States or any of its citizens.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
May 24, 1999.