[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 25 (Monday, June 28, 1999)]
[Pages 1175-1177]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Transmitting a Protocol to the Canada-United 
States Atomic Energy Agreement With Documentation

June 24, 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

[[Page 1176]]

Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153(b) and (d)), the 
text of a proposed Protocol Amending the Agreement for Cooperation 
Concerning Civil Uses of Atomic Energy Between the Government of the 
United States of America and the Government of Canada signed at 
Washington on June 15, 1955, as amended. I am also pleased to transmit 
my written approval, authorization, and determination concerning the 
Protocol, and an unclassified Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement 
(NPAS) concerning the Protocol. (In accordance with section 123 of the 
Act, as amended by Title XII of the Foreign Affairs Reform and 
Restructuring Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-277), I have submitted to the 
Congress under separate cover a classified annex to the NPAS, prepared 
in consultation with the Director of Central Intelligence, summarizing 
relevant classified information.) The joint memorandum submitted to me 
by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy and a letter from 
the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission stating the views of 
the Commission are also enclosed.
    The proposed Protocol has been negotiated in accordance with the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and other applicable law. In my 
judgment, it meets all statutory requirements and will advance the 
nonproliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United 
States.
    The Protocol amends the Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Civil 
Uses of Atomic Energy Between the Government of the United States of 
America and the Government of Canada in two respects:
    1. It extends the Agreement, which would otherwise expire by its 
terms on January 1, 2000, for an additional period of 30 years, with the 
provision for automatic extensions thereafter in increments of 5 years 
each unless either Party gives timely notice to terminate the Agreement; 
and
    2. It updates certain provisions of the Agreement relating to the 
physical protection of materials subject to the Agreement.
    The Agreement itself was last amended on April 23, 1980, to bring it 
into conformity with all requirements of the Atomic Energy Act and the 
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978. As amended by the proposed 
Protocol, it will continue to meet all requirements of U.S. law.
    Canada ranks among the closest and most important U.S. partners in 
civil nuclear cooperation, with ties dating back to the early days of 
the Atoms for Peace program. Canada is also in the forefront of 
countries supporting international efforts to prevent the spread of 
nuclear weapons to additional countries. It is a party to the Treaty on 
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and has an agreement with 
the IAEA for the application of full-scope safeguards to its nuclear 
program. It also subscribes to the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) 
Guidelines, which set forth standards for the responsible export of 
nuclear commodities for peaceful use, and to the Zangger (NPT Exporters) 
Committee Guidelines, which oblige members to require the application of 
IAEA safeguards on nuclear exports to nonnuclear weapon states. It is a 
party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, 
whereby it has agreed to apply international standards of physical 
protection to the storage and transport of nuclear material under its 
jurisdiction or control.
    Continued close cooperation with Canada in the peaceful uses of 
nuclear energy, under the long-term extension of the U.S.-Canada 
Agreement for Cooperation provided for in the proposed Protocol, will 
serve important U.S. national security, foreign policy, and commercial 
interests.
    I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested 
agencies in reviewing the proposed Protocol 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 
Protocol and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress give it 
favorable consideration.
    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 immediate 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.,

[[Page 1177]]

the 60-day continuous session period provided for in 123 d. shall 
commence.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
June 24, 1999.