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Skriven 2006-06-20 23:34:48 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0606203) for Tue, 2006 Jun 20
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Message to the Senate of the United States
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 20, 2006

Message to the Senate of the United States



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 Additional to the Geneva
Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an
Additional Distinctive Emblem (the "Geneva Protocol III"), adopted at
Geneva on December 8, 2005, and signed by the United States on that date;
the Amendment to Article 1 of the Convention on Prohibitions or
Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed
to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (the "CCW
Amendment"); and the CCW Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War (the "CCW
Protocol V"). I transmit, for the information of the Senate, the report of
the Department of State concerning these treaties.

Geneva Protocol III. Geneva Protocol III creates a new distinctive emblem,
a Red Crystal, in addition to and for the same purposes as the Red Cross
and the Red Crescent emblems. The Red Crystal is a neutral emblem that can
be employed by governments and national societies that face challenges
using the existing emblems. In addition, Geneva Protocol III will pave the
way for Magen David Adom, Israel's national society, to achieve membership
in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Legislation
implementing Geneva Protocol III will be submitted to the Congress
separately.

CCW Amendment. The amendment to Article 1 of the CCW, which was adopted at
Geneva on December 21, 2001, eliminates the distinction between
international and non-international armed conflict for the purposes of the
rules governing the prohibitions and restrictions on the use of certain
conventional weapons. It does not change the legal status of rebel or
insurgent groups into that of protected or privileged belligerents.

CCW Protocol V. CCW Protocol V, which was adopted at Geneva on November 28,
2003, addresses the post-conflict threat generated by conventional
munitions such as mortar shells, grenades, artillery rounds, and bombs that
do not explode as intended or that are abandoned. CCW Protocol V provides
for the marking, clearance, removal, and destruction of such remnants by
the party in control of the territory in which the munitions are located.

Conclusion. I urge the Senate to give prompt and favorable consideration to
each of these instruments and to give its advice and consent to their
ratification. These treaties are in the interest of the United States, and
their ratification would advance the longstanding and historic leadership
of the United States in the law of armed conflict.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

June 19, 2006.

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