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 Home > News & Policies > August 2003

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 4, 2003

Presidential Letter
To the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

I am pleased to transmit to the Congress, consistent with sections 123 and 144 b. of the Atomic Energy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2153 and 2164(b)), the text of the Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty for Co-operation Regarding Atomic Information, including a technical annex and security annex (hereinafter collectively referred to as the ATOMAL Agreement), as a proposed agreement for cooperation within the context of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) between the United States of America and each of the following four members of NATO: the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Poland, and Spain, hereinafter the "New Parties." I am also pleased to transmit my written approval, authorization and determination concerning the ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the New Parties. The ATOMAL Agreement entered into force on March 12, 1965, with respect to the United States and the other NATO members at that time. The New Parties have signed this agreement and have indicated their willingness to be bound by it. The ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the New Parties meets the requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. While the ATOMAL Agreement continues in force with respect to its original parties, for the United States it will not become effective as an agreement for cooperation authorizing the exchange of atomic information with respect to the New Parties until completion of procedures prescribed by sections 123 and 144 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.

For more than 35 years, the ATOMAL Agreement has served as the framework within which NATO and the other NATO members party to this agreement have received the information that is necessary to an understanding and knowledge of and participation in the political and strategic consensus upon which the collective military capacity of the Alliance depends. This agreement permits only the transfer of atomic information, not weapons, nuclear material or equipment. Participation in the ATOMAL Agreement will give the Czech Republic, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Poland, and Spain the same standing within the Alliance with regard to nuclear matters as that of the other NATO members. This is important for the cohesiveness of the Alliance and will enhance its effectiveness.

I have considered the views and recommendations of the Department of Defense and other interested agencies in reviewing the ATOMAL Agreement and have determined that its performance, including the proposed cooperation and the proposed communication of Restricted Data thereunder, with respect to the New Parties will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security. Accordingly, I have approved the ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the New Parties and authorized the Department of Defense to cooperate with the New Parties in the context of NATO upon satisfaction of the requirements of section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended.

In accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, I am submitting to each house of Congress an authoritative copy of the ATOMAL Agreement as signed by each of the New Parties, together with a copy of the letter from the Secretary of Defense recommending my approval of the ATOMAL Agreement with respect to the New Parties and a copy of my approval letter. The 60-day continuous session period provided for in section 123 begins upon receipt of this submission.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

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