DATE=3/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=TEST BAN TREATY / SHALIKASHVILI (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260135
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  The Clinton administration has appointed a 
former top military officer to head its renewed drive 
to push for legislative approval of the Comprehensive 
Test Ban Treaty.  Retired General John Shalikashvili 
has been appointed special advisor to the president to 
push for ratification of the treaty, which would ban 
all nuclear testing. The C-T-B-T was rejected by the 
U-S Senate last year, and has not been ratified by 
other nuclear powers - including Russia and China.  
From the State Department, V-O-A's Kyle King reports.

TEXT:  Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced 
the appointment of General Shalikashvili, whom she 
says is highly respected by both Republicans and 
Democrats alike.

The secretary says the former chairman of the U-S 
Joint Chiefs of Staff will meet with members of the 
Senate and others to try to clear up misconceptions 
about the treaty.

Ms. Albright says the Clinton administration continues 
to support the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, despite 
its rejection by the Senate last year.

            /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///

      Let me be clear.  We do not expect Senate action 
      on the CTBT this year, but the treaty was 
      painstakingly negotiated and equal pains must be 
      taken in considering it.

            /// END ACT ///

General Shalikashvili, who was asked by the secretary 
in January to try to lobby opponents of the treaty, 
says he knows that their views are deeply held.

But he told reporters that the treaty is too important 
to push aside and he would try a low-key approach to 
bridge the differences of opinion.

            /// SHALIKASHVILI ACT /// 

      I will tell you that I am looking for ways, 
      first to understand what the concerns are, and 
      secondly to find ways to bridge those 
      (differences) short of having to renegotiate a 
      treaty.  It might not be possible to do that in 
      the end, but it would be irresponsible not to 
      try.

            /// END ACT ///

Opponents of the treaty say there are not enough 
safeguards built-in to ensure compliance.  Some 
critics also say the United States needs to have the 
option to continue testing to keep its nuclear arsenal 
up to date.

The general says it is still too early to tell if the 
effort will eventually pay off.  But he says that 
without a dialogue on the issue, there will be no 
chance of eventual U-S approval. (signed)

NEB/KBK/JO



13-Mar-2000 14:01 PM EDT (13-Mar-2000 1901 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.