DATE=10/2/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=COHEN / TEST-BAN TREATY (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254581
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=SINGAPORE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  Defense Secretary William Cohen is cutting 
short his visit to Southeast Asia, so he can rush back 
to Washington and help the Clinton Administration in a 
last-ditch effort to win ratification by the U-S 
Senate of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.  V-O-A's 
Jim Randle reports from Singapore.

TEXT:  Mr. Cohen cancelled events in Singapore and 
Manila, only leaving room for brief talks with top 
officials in those nations.  The abrupt change 
reflects the administration's concern that it is about 
to lose the vote on a key foreign-policy goal.

// OPT //  Mr. Cohen will return to Washington late 
Sunday - two days earlier than originally scheduled - 
so he can attend a strategy session at the White House 
on Monday.  // END OPT //

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, or C-T-B-T, would 
ban the underground nuclear explosions that experts 
say are crucial for new nations to develop nuclear 
weapons.  The United States and many other nations 
have signed the agreement, but U-S law requires the 
Senate to ratify, or give final approval, to treaties.

Republicans, who oppose the treaty, have a majority in 
the Senate and they have been blocking consideration 
of the agreement -- or even hearings on the matter -- 
until last Thursday.  That's when Senate Majority 
Leader Trent Lott abruptly offered to hold a brief 
debate and a quick vote on the C-T-B-T.  Senator Lott 
expressed confidence that treaty opponents have the 
votes to kill the measure.

At a news conference in Singapore, Defense Secretary 
Cohen, a former Senator and the sole Republican in 
President Clinton's cabinet, said  no  one can predict 
how this political fight will turn out.

            /// FIRST COHEN ACT  ///

      I think it's an uphill battle.  I think that we 
      are going to have to overcome some fairly strong 
      resistance.

            ///  END ACT ///

Treaty opponents say the test ban would prevent the 
United States from testing the reliability of its 
nuclear weapons or developing new ones.  They argue 
testing must continue as long as nuclear weapons are a 
key part of American security.  Those who oppose the 
C-T-B-T also doubt it is possible to make certain that 
other nations are  not  cheating on the pact.  

But Defense Secretary Cohen says the United States has 
conducted one-thousand nuclear tests, and has the 
technical skill to monitor underground explosions.   

He says if Washington ratifies the treaty, it will 
encourage new nuclear powers to stop making bombs.

            /// SECOND COHEN ACT ///

      That hopefully will send a strong signal to 
      India and Pakistan, both of whom have pledged in 
      the past that they would be willing to sign this 
      treaty, but have  not  done so.

            /// END ACT ///

Both India and Pakistan have developed and recently 
tested nuclear weapons.  The South Asian neighbors 
have fought several wars and remain locked in a 
dispute over the territory of Kashmir.  Experts also 
express concern about nuclear weapons programs in 
North Korea, Iran and Iraq.   (Signed)

NEB/JR/WTW



02-Oct-1999 04:59 AM EDT (02-Oct-1999 0859 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.