[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 18 (Monday, May 5, 2003)]
[Pages 509-510]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting Amendments to the Constitution and 
Convention of the International Telecommunication Union

April 30, 2003

To the Senate of the United States:

    I transmit herewith for Senate advice and consent to ratification, 
the amendments to the Constitution and Convention of the International 
Telecommunication Union (ITU) (Geneva 1992), as amended by the 
Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto 1994), together with declarations and 
reservations by the United States as contained in the Final Acts of the 
Plenipotentiary Conference (Minneapolis 1998). I transmit also, for the 
information of the Senate, the report of the Department of State 
concerning these amendments.
    Prior to 1992, and as a matter of general practice, previous 
Conventions of the ITU were routinely replaced at successive 
Plenipotentiary Conferences held every 5 to 10 years. In 1992, the ITU 
adopted a permanent Constitution and Convention. The Constitution 
contains fundamental provisions on the organization and structure of the 
ITU, as well as substantive rules applicable to international 
telecommunications matters. The ITU Convention contains provisions 
concerning the functioning of the ITU and its constituent organs.
    Faced with a rapidly changing telecommunication environment, the ITU 
in 1994 adopted a few amendments to the 1992 Constitution and 
Convention. These amendments were designed to enable the ITU to respond 
effectively to new challenges posed.
    The pace at which the telecommunication market continues to evolve 
has not eased. States participating in the 1998 ITU Plenipotentiary 
Conference held in Minneapolis submitted numerous proposals to amend the 
Constitution and Convention. As discussed in the attached report of the 
Department of State concerning the amendments, key proposals included 
the following: amendments to clarify the rights and obligations of 
Member States and Sector Members; amendments to increase private sector 
participation in the ITU with the understanding that the ITU is to 
remain an intergovernmental organization; amendments to strengthen the 
finances of the ITU; and amendments to provide for alternative 
procedures for the adoption and approval of questions and 
recommendations.
    Consistent with longstanding practice in the ITU, the United States, 
in signing the 1998 amendments, made certain declarations and 
reservations. These declarations and reservations are discussed in the 
report of the Department of State, which is attached hereto.
    The 1992 Constitution and Convention and the 1994 amendments thereto 
entered into force for the United States on October 26, 1997. The 1998 
amendments to the 1992 Constitution and Convention as amended in 1994 
entered into force on January 1, 2000, for those states, which, by that 
date, had notified the Secretary General of the ITU of their approval 
thereof. As of the beginning of this year, 26 states had notified the 
Secretary General of the ITU of their approval of the 1998 amendments.
    Subject to the U.S. declarations and reservations mentioned above, I 
believe the United States should ratify the 1998 amendments to the ITU 
Constitution and Convention. They will contribute to the ITUs ability to 
adapt to a rapidly changing telecommunication environment and, in doing 
so, will serve the needs of the United States Government and U.S. 
industry.
    I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration 
to these amendments and that the Senate give its advice and consent to 
ratification.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 April 30, 2003.

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