    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 25 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
    [Pages 1071-1072]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Message to the Congress Transmitting an Amendment to the United Kingdom-
    United States Agreement for Cooperation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for
    Mutual Defense Purposes

    June 14, 2004

    To the Congress of the United States:

        I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to section 123d.
    of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the text of an amendment
    to the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America
    and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
    Ireland for Cooperation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defense
    Purposes of July 3, 1958, as amended, and my written approval,
    authorization, and determination concerning the agreement. The joint
    unclassified letter submitted to me by the Secretaries of Energy and
    Defense that provides a summary position on the Amendment is also
    enclosed.
        The Amendment extends for 10 years (until December 31, 2014)
    provisions that permit the transfer of nonnuclear parts, source,
    byproduct, special nuclear materials, and other material and technology
    for nuclear weapons and military reactors, and revises text, principally
    in the Security Annex, to be consistent with current policies and
    practices relating to personnel and physical security.
        In my judgment, the proposed Amendment meets all statutory
    requirements. The United Kingdom intends to continue to maintain viable
    nuclear forces. In light of our previous close cooperation and the fact
    that the United Kingdom has committed its nuclear forces to the North
    Atlantic Treaty Organization, I have concluded that it is in our
    interest to continue to assist them in maintaining a credible nuclear
    force.
        I have approved the Amendment, authorized its execution, and urge
    that the Congress give it favorable consideration.
                                                    George W. Bush
     The White House,
     June 14, 2004.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this message.

    [[Page 1072]]