[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 32 (Monday, August 11, 2003)]
[Pages 1031-1032]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Agreement Between the 
Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty for Co-operation Regarding Atomic 
Information

August 4, 2003

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)

    I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, consistent with sections 
123 and 144 b. of the Atomic Energy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153 and 
2164(b)), the text of the Agreement between the Parties to the North 
Atlantic Treaty for Co-operation Regarding Atomic Information, including 
a technical annex and security annex (hereinafter collectively referred 
to as the ATOMAL Agreement), as a proposed agreement for cooperation 
within the context of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 
between the United States of America and each of the following four 
members of NATO: the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the 
Republic of Poland, and Spain, hereinafter the ``New Parties.'' I am 
also pleased to transmit my written approval, authorization and 
determination concerning the ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the New 
Parties. The ATOMAL Agreement entered into force on March 12, 1965, with 
respect to the United States and the other NATO members at that time. 
The New Parties have signed this agreement and have indicated their 
willingness to be bound by it. The ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the 
New Parties meets the requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as 
amended. While the ATOMAL Agreement continues in force with respect to 
its original parties, for the United States it will not become effective 
as an agreement for cooperation authorizing the exchange of atomic 
information with respect to the New Parties until completion of 
procedures prescribed by sections 123 and 144 b. of the Atomic Energy 
Act of 1954, as amended.
    For more than 35 years, the ATOMAL Agreement has served as the 
framework within which NATO and the other NATO members party to this 
agreement have received the information that is necessary to an 
understanding and knowledge of and participation in the political and 
strategic consensus upon which the collective military capacity of the 
Alliance depends. This agreement permits only the transfer of atomic 
information, not weapons, nuclear material or equipment. Participation 
in the ATOMAL Agreement will give the Czech Republic, the Republic of 
Hungary, the Republic of Poland, and Spain the same standing within the 
Alliance with regard to nuclear matters as that of the other NATO 
members. This is important for the cohesiveness of the Alliance and will 
enhance its effectiveness.
    I have considered the views and recommendations of the Department of 
Defense and other interested agencies in reviewing the ATOMAL Agreement 
and have determined that its performance, including the proposed 
cooperation and the proposed communication of Restricted Data 
thereunder, with respect to the New Parties will promote, and will not 
constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security. 
Accordingly, I have approved the ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the 
New Parties and authorized the Department of Defense to cooperate with 
the New Parties in the context of NATO upon satisfaction of the 
requirements of section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as 
amended.
    In accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, I am 
submitting to each house of Congress an authoritative copy of the ATOMAL 
Agreement as signed by each of the New Parties, together with a copy of 
the letter from the Secretary of Defense recommending my approval of the 
ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the New Parties and a copy of my 
approval letter. The 60-day continuous session period provided for in 
section 123 begins upon receipt of this submission.
     Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Richard B. Cheney, President of the 
Senate.

[[Page 1032]]