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06 May 1998

TEXT: CLINTON ON U.S.-UKRAINE PACT ON PEACEFUL NUCLEAR ENERGY

(President submits proposed agreement to Congress May 6) (750)
Washington -- President Clinton asked Congress to ratify an agreement
for cooperation between the United States and Ukraine on peaceful uses
of nuclear energy.
In his May 6 message to Congress, the president noted that the
agreement "permits the transfer of technology, material, equipment
(including reactors), and components for nuclear research, and nuclear
power production" to Ukraine and "provides for U.S. consent rights to
retransfers, enrichment, and reprocessing as required by U.S. law. It
does not permit transfers of any sensitive nuclear technology,
restricted data, or sensitive nuclear facilities or major critical
components of such facilities."
The message pointed out that "Ukraine is a non-nuclear weapon state
party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
(NPT)."
Following is the White House text:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
May 6, 1998
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, pursuant to sections 123 b.
and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C.
2153 (b), (d)), the text of a proposed Agreement for Cooperation
Between the United States of America and Ukraine Concerning Peaceful
Uses of Nuclear Energy, with accompanying annex and agreed minute. I
am also pleased to transmit my written approval, authorization, and
determination concerning the agreement, and the memorandum of the
Director of the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency with
the Nuclear Proliferation Assessment Statement concerning the
agreement. The joint memorandum submitted to me by the Secretary of
State and the Secretary of Energy, which includes a summary of the
provisions of the agreement and various other attachments, including
agency views, is also enclosed.
The proposed agreement with Ukraine has been negotiated in accordance
with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended by the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 and as otherwise amended. In my
judgment, the proposed agreement meets all statutory requirements and
will advance the non-proliferation and other foreign policy interests
of the United States. The agreement provides a comprehensive framework
for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and Ukraine
under appropriate conditions and controls reflecting our common
commitment to nuclear non-proliferation goals.
The proposed new agreement with Ukraine permits the transfer of
technology, material, equipment (including reactors), and components
for nuclear research, and nuclear power production. It provides for
U.S. consent rights to retransfers, enrichment, and reprocessing as
required by U.S. law. It does not permit transfers of any sensitive
nuclear technology, restricted data, or sensitive nuclear facilities
or major critical components of such facilities. In the event of
termination, key conditions and controls continue with respect to
material and equipment subject to the agreement.
Ukraine is a non-nuclear weapon state party to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Following the dissolution
of the Soviet Union, Ukraine agreed to the removal of all nuclear
weapons from its territory. It has a full-scope safeguards agreement
in force with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to
implement its safeguards obligations under the NPT. Ukraine was
accepted as a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group in April 1996, and
as a member of the NPT Exporters Committee (Zangger Committee) in May
1997.
I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested
agencies in reviewing the proposed agreement and have determined that
its performance will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable
risk to, the common defense and security. Accordingly, I have approved
the agreement and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress
give it favorable consideration.
Because this agreement meets all applicable requirements of the Atomic
Energy Act, as amended, for agreements for peaceful nuclear
cooperation, I am transmitting it to the Congress without exempting it
from any requirement contained in section 123 a. of that Act. This
transmission shall constitute a submittal for purposes of both
sections 123 b. and 123 d. of the Atomic Energy Act. My Administration
is prepared to begin immediately the consultations with the Senate
Foreign Relations and House International Relations Committees as
provided in section 123 b. Upon completion of the 30-day continuous
session period provided for in section 123 b., the 60-day continuous
session provided for in section 123 d. shall commence.
(signed)
WILLIAM J.  CLINTON
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 6, 1998.
(End text)