THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 21, 1998
TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:
I am gratified that the United States Senate has given its advice and
consent to the ratification of the Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty
of 1949 on the Accession of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
The Senate's decisive vote was a milestone on the road to an
undivided, democratic and peaceful Europe. The message this vote sends is
clear: American support for NATO is firm, our leadership on both sides of
the Atlantic is strong, and there is a solid bipartisan foundation for an
active U.S. role in transatlantic security.
I thank Majority Leader Lott, Minority Leader Daschle, Senators Helms
and Biden, Senator Roth and the members of the NATO Observer Group, and the
many others who have devoted so much time and energy to this historic
effort. The continuous dialogue and consultation between the
Administration and the Congress on this issue was a model of bipartisan
partnership. I am committed to ensuring that this partnership continues
and deepens as we proceed toward NATO's 50th anniversary summit next year
in Washington.
The resolution of ratification that the Senate has adopted contains
provisions addressing a broad range of issues of interest and concern, and
I will implement the conditions it contains. As I have indicated following
approval of earlier treaties, I will of course do so without prejudice to
my authorities as President under the Constitution, including my
authorities with respect to the conduct of foreign policy. I note in this
connection that conditions in a resolution of advice and consent cannot
alter the allocations of authority and responsibility under the
Constitution.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 21, 1998.
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