THE WHITE HOUSE

                       Office of the Press Secretary
                         (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

                           ___
For Immediate Release                             July 25, 2000



TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:


     With a view to receiving advice and consent of the Senate to
ratification, I transmit herewith two optional protocols to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child, both of which were adopted at New York, May 25,
2000: (1) The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the
Child on Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict; and (2) The Optional
Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of
Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.  I signed both
Protocols on July 5, 2000.

     In addition, I transmit for the information of the Senate, the report
of the Department of State with respect to both Protocols, including
article-by-article analyses of each Protocol.  As detailed in the
Department of State report, a number of understandings and declarations are
recommended.

     These Protocols represent a true breakthrough for the children of the
world.  Ratification of these Protocols will enhance the ability of the
United States to provide global leadership in the effort to eliminate
abuses against children with respect to armed conflict and sexual
exploitation.

     I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to
both Protocols and give its advice and consent to the ratification of both
Protocols, subject to the understandings and declarations recommended in
the Department of State Report.



                              WILLIAM J. CLINTON


THE WHITE HOUSE,
    July 25, 2000.




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