DATE=10/7/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SENATE-TEST BAN (L-ONITER)
NUMBER=2-254783
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 


  /// EDS: SENATE DEBATE SKED TO OPEN 9:30 A-M EDT ///


INTRO:  The U-S Senate is scheduled to take up the 
nuclear test ban treaty today (Friday), although it 
may not vote on ratifying the pact.  Party leaders are 
talking about calling off the vote, which is set for 
next week - and would likely hand the administration 
an embarrassing defeat.  V-O-A's David Swan reports.


TEXT:  Secretary of State Madeline Albright makes 
clear she wants the test ban approved - but would 
rather see the vote delayed than the treaty rejected 
outright.

            /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///

      Because it would be a national security tragedy 
      if the world's greatest deliberative body (the 
      Senate) killed a treaty that our nation has 
      sought for 40 years by failing properly to 
      deliberate on and appreciate its merits.

            /// END ACT ///

All sides agree the treaty is far short of the two-
thirds Senate majority needed for ratification.  
Although some Republicans are willing to put off the 
showdown, hardly any are ready to support the treaty.

The lawmakers say the ban on underground testing can 
not be verified and would leave rogue nations 
untouched, but could weaken the U-S nuclear arsenal.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner 
says there are simply too many questions about the 
accord.

            /// WARNER ACT ///

      And I come from the old school that it should be 
      beyond any reasonable doubt if we're going to 
      take a step that affects our vital security 
      interests for decades to come - indeed possibly 
      into perpetuity as it relates to this cadre of 
      weapons.

            /// END ACT ///

Those who favor the test ban take the opposite tack - 
that it makes the United States more secure by curbing 
the spread of weapons elsewhere.  The treaty's 
supporters also say its defeat would hurt America's 
credibility.  Democratic Senator Carl Levin is among 
them.  

            /// LEVIN ACT ///

      If we are not willing to ratify the 
      Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, what standing do 
      we have to urge India, Pakistan, any country to 
      stop testing?

            /// END ACT ///

Democrats complain Republicans bottled up the treaty 
for two years, then forced it to the Senate floor on 
short notice.  Leaders of both parties are now 
negotiating a delay in the vote.  But the White House 
has balked at Republican demands that the president 
ask for a postponement in writing, and not bring up 
the treaty again during his term.  Republican Senator 
Jesse Helms refuses to bend.

            /// HELMS ACT ///

      If Mr. Clinton does not submit a written request 
      we will proceed with the vote and I am confident 
      that the C-T-B-T will be defeated.  So the 
      president has a choice to make.

            /// END ACT ///

Mr. Clinton has a few days to bargain.  The final vote 
is not expected at least until Tuesday.  But if the 
situation moves to that stage, he could easily lose 
one of the last big foreign policy battles of his 
presidency.  (Signed)

NEB/DS/TVM/gm



07-Oct-1999 18:47 PM EDT (07-Oct-1999 2247 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.