The White House and the State Department issued statements April 1 welcoming Senate action providing its advice and consent to the Additional Protocol between the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding nuclear safeguards.

The Senate approved the protocol on March 31 following a White House request for approval in February. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution ratifying the protocol on March 4.

The White House said the action by the full Senate "will help advance universal adoption" of the protocol and will strengthen verification of nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli said Senate action will give the United States "a stronger foundation from which to encourage other states to adopt the protocol."

As additional states adopt it, he said the IAEA will have better verification tools "to deal with clandestine nuclear weapons programs."

A State Department fact sheet on the protocol may be viewed on the World Wide Web at http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/arms/02052003.htm

(begin White House text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
April 1, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

President Bush welcomes the Senate's overwhelming approval yesterday (March 31) for ratification of the Additional Protocol between the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The President called for immediate Senate action on the Additional Protocol in his speech at the National Defense University on February 11. The Senate's vote yesterday will help advance universal adoption of the Additional Protocol, strengthening verification of nuclear nonproliferation obligations. The President commends Senators Frist, Daschle, Lugar, and Biden for their leadership in timely Senate action on this important agreement.

(end White House text)

(begin State Department text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 1, 2004

STATEMENT BY ADAM ERELI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Ratification of the U.S. Protocol Between the United States and the IAEA

On February 11, the President asked the Senate to act immediately on ratification of the U.S. Additional Protocol between the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

We are very pleased that the Senate, with the able leadership of Chairman Lugar and Senator Biden, overwhelmingly agreed March 31 to consent to ratification of the Protocol.

The Senate's action will give us a stronger foundation from which to encourage other states to adopt the Protocol. It is essential for states to adopt the Additional Protocol in order to give the IAEA strengthened verification tools to deal with clandestine nuclear weapons programs.

(end State Department text)