DATE=8/9/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON / TEST BAN (L)
NUMBER=2-252617
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  President Clinton is stepping up his appeal to 
the Senate to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test 
Ban treaty this year.  He made his comments at Fort 
Myer, outside Washington, at a ceremony marking the 
50th anniversary of the office of the Chairman of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Correspondent Deborah Tate 
reports from the White House.

Text:  Mr. Clinton called for the Senate Foreign 
relations committee to hold hearings on the treaty 
after the lawmaker's August recess.  He appealed to 
the full Senate to vote for ratification as soon as 
possible - saying it will strengthen national 
security, not only for the United States, but also for 
people around the world.

            // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

      If we do not ratify, by its terms the treaty 
      cannot enter into force, and countries all 
      around the world will feel more pressure to 
      develop and test weapons in ever more 
      destructive varieties and sizes, threatening the 
      security of everyone on earth.

            // END ACT //

Mr. Clinton noted that four former Chairmen of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff support ratification of the 
treaty, which has been signed by 152 nations and 
ratified by 41.

The President -- who signed the pact three-years ago -
- has pressed for ratification since India and 
Pakistan conducted nuclear tests last year.  He has 
argued it is essential for the United States to ratify 
the treaty if Pakistan and India are to do so.

But Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Republican 
Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina opposes the 
treaty.  He says it cannot be verified -- an argument 
Mr. Clinton rejects.

Mr. Helms has held up hearings on the issue -- 
demanding the administration first send the Senate a 
global-warming treaty and changes to the 1972 Anti-
Ballistic Missile Treaty.

But Clinton administration officials want to wait to 
send the Senate the global-warming pact, which would 
ban the use of ozone-depleting fossil fuel emissions, 
until developing nations are included in it.  In 
addition, they do not plan to submit changes to the A-
B-M treaty until the Russian Duma (Parliament) 
ratifies the Start-Two Nuclear Treaty.

The administration had hoped the Duma would take up 
the issue next month, but the decision by Russian 
President Boris Yeltsin to fire Prime Minister Sergei 
Stepashin and replace his cabinet may delay such 
action.   (Signed)

NEB/DAT/RAE  



09-Aug-1999 13:54 PM EDT (09-Aug-1999 1754 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.