DATE=10/4/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SENATE-TEST BAN (S-ONITER)
NUMBER=2-254651
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO:  Opponents of the worldwide nuclear test ban 
are predicting the U-S Senate will reject the treaty. 
V-O-A's David Swan reports lawmakers are starting a 
round of hearings on the issue (Tuesday) before voting 
on ratification next week.


TEXT:  The treaty's Republican critics say the United 
States must have freedom to test its weapons to keep a 
safe nuclear stockpile and a credible deterrent.  
Opposition lawmakers also charge the accord can not be 
verified.

Senator Jesse Helms, whose Foreign Relations Committee 
holds hearings on the issue this week, ridicules the 
Clinton administration's defense of the treaty.

            /// HELMS ACT ///

      The administration is grasping at straws, 
      looking for any argument, however incredible, to 
      support an insupportable treaty.  Well, we will 
      let them try to make their case.

            /// END ACT ///

The White House argues the pact will ease nuclear 
tensions.  But from the president on down, the 
treaty's supporters concede they are well short of the 
two-thirds Senate majority needed for ratification.

The president and his Democratic (party) allies will 
spend the next several days trying to turn the tide.
(Signed)

NEB/DS/TVM/gm



04-Oct-1999 18:05 PM EDT (04-Oct-1999 2205 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.