    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 16 (Monday, April 19, 2004)]
    [Page 579]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Statement on Signing Legislation To Provide for the Conveyance to the
    Utrok Atoll Local Government of a Decommissioned National Oceanic and
    Atmospheric Administration Ship, and for Other Purposes

    April 13, 2004

        Today, I have signed into law H.R. 2584, a bill to provide for the
    conveyance to the Utrok Atoll local government of a decommissioned
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship, and for other
    purposes.
        Section 101(c) of the bill purports to require the Utrok Atoll local
    government, in consultation with the Government of the Republic of the
    Marshall Islands, to submit a plan to four committees of the United
    States Congress for the use of the ship to be conveyed. The Republic of
    the Marshall Islands, of which Utrok is a political subdivision, is a
    self-governing republic with a sovereign right to self-determination
    whose government has the capacity to conduct foreign affairs.
    Accordingly, in light of the status of the Republic of the Marshall
    Islands and the exclusive authority of the President with respect to the
    conduct of the foreign affairs of the United States, the executive
    branch shall construe section 101(c) as asking the President to request,
    rather than as requiring, that the Utrok political subdivision submit a
    plan for use of the ship to be conveyed. The Secretary of State, after
    consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall communicate on my
    behalf as appropriate with the Government of the Republic of the
    Marshall Islands to effectuate to the extent permissible the purposes of
    section 101.
                                                    George W. Bush
     The White House,
     April 13, 2004.

    Note: H.R. 2584, approved April 13, was assigned Public Law No. 108-219.