Message to the Congress on Certification of Satellite Fuels and Separation Systems Exports to China

To the Congress of the United States:

In accordance with the provisions of section 1512 of Public Law 105-261, the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999, I hereby certify that the export to the People's Republic of China of satellite fuels and separation systems for the U.S.-origin Iridium commercial communications satellite program:

(1) is not detrimental to the United States space launch industry; and

(2) the material and equipment, including any indirect technical benefit that could be derived from such export, will not measurably improve the missile or space launch capabilities of the People's Republic of China.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

The White House, May 10, 1999.