[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 28 (Monday, July 17, 2006)]
[Page 1305]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

July 10, 2006

To the Senate of the United States:

    With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, I transmit herewith the amendments to the Constitution and 
Convention of the International Telecommunication Union (Geneva, 1992), 
as amended by the Plenipotentiary Conference (Kyoto, 1994) and the 
Plenipotentiary Conference (Minneapolis, 1998), together with the 
declarations and reservations by the United States, all as contained in 
the Final Acts of the Plenipotentiary Conference (Marrakesh, 2002).
    I transmit also, for the information of the Senate, the report of 
the Department of State concerning these amendments.
    The Plenipotentiary Conference (Marrakesh, 2002) adopted amendments 
that would expand the field of individuals eligible for election to the 
Radio Regulations Board; provide for functional privileges and 
immunities for members of the Radio Regulations Board; strengthen the 
finances of the International Telecommunication Union by, among others, 
providing for sector member contributions to defray the expenses of 
regional conferences in which they participate and clarifying that 
operational plans prepared by the International Telecommunication Union 
Secretary-General and Directors of each of the International 
Telecommunication Union sectors must reflect the financial implications 
of the activities proposed; provide for sector members to be represented 
as observers at meetings of the Council; and recognize the authority of 
the Radiocommunication Assembly, the World Telecommunication 
Standardization Assembly, and the World Telecommunication Development 
Conference to adopt working methods and procedures for their respective 
sectors.
    Consistent with long-standing practices, the United States, in 
signing the 2002 amendments, made certain declarations and reservations. 
Subject to those declarations and reservations, I believe the United 
States should ratify the 2002 amendments to the International 
Telecommunication Union Constitution and Convention. Those amendments 
will contribute to the International Telecommunication Union's ability 
to adapt to changes in the telecommunication environment and, in so 
doing, serve the needs of the United States Government and United States 
industry. It is my hope that the Senate will take early action on this 
matter and give its advice and consent to ratification.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 July 10, 2006.