[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 43 (Monday, October 29, 2007)]
[Pages 1404-1405]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting the Protocol Amending the Convention 
on the International Hydrographic Organization

October 23, 2007

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 Protocol of Amendments to the 
Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization done at Monaco 
on

[[Page 1405]]

April 14, 2005. The Protocol amends the Convention on the International 
Hydrographic Organization, which was done at Monaco on May 3, 1967, and 
entered into force for the United States on September 22, 1970 (TIAS 
6933; 21 UST 1857; 752 UNTS 41). I am also transmitting, for the 
information of the Senate, the report of the Secretary of State on the 
Protocol.

    The Protocol will facilitate the reorganization of the International 
Hydrographic Organization (IHO). The IHO, which is a technical and 
consultative international organization headquartered in Monaco, 
facilitates safe and efficient maritime navigation throughout the world. 
It accomplishes these objectives by facilitating the coordination of the 
activities of national hydrographic offices, promoting uniformity in the 
nautical charts and documents generated by such offices, encouraging the 
adoption of reliable surveying methods, and fostering the development of 
the science of hydrography. Reorganization of the IHO will result in a 
more flexible, efficient, and visible organization.

    Ratification of the Protocol would serve important U.S. interests. 
United States commercial shipping, the United States Navy, and the 
scientific research community rely heavily on hydrographic information 
collected and shared under the auspices of the IHO. The United States 
plays an important leadership role in the IHO and as a result enjoys 
expeditious and economical access to this information. Moreover, the 
United States has committed more resources than any other country to 
research, development, and evaluation of hydrographic instruments and 
therefore stands to benefit significantly from the efficiencies 
generated by this reorganization.

    Article XXI of the Convention sets forth the procedure for the 
approval and entry into force of amendments: amendments that are adopted 
or ``approved'' by the Conference enter into force for all Contracting 
Parties to the Convention 3 months after two-thirds of the Contracting 
Parties have notified the depositary of the their consent to be bound.
    I recommend that the Senate give prompt and favorable consideration 
to the Protocol and give its advice and consent to ratification.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 October 23, 2007.

Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
October 24.