12 October 1999


 
Text: Clinton Asks Senate to Postpone the Vote on CTBT October 12
 
(Sends Lott and Daschle letters asking that vote be put off) (300)

President Clinton October 11 sent identical letters to Senate Majority
Leader Trent Lott, Republican of Mississippi, and Senate Minority
Leader Tom Daschle, Democrat of South Dakota, asking them to put off
the vote on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) that is scheduled
for late October 12.

"I firmly believe the Treaty is in the national interest," Clinton
wrote. "However, I recognize that there are a significant number of
Senators who have honest disagreements" with it, Clinton said.

Rejection of the Treaty by the Senate, he said, "would severely harm
the national security of the United States" and its relationship with
its allies.

For the Treaty to be ratified it would need the support of two-thirds
(67) of the 100 Senators.

Following is the text of the Clinton letter:

(begin text)

The White House
Washington 

Dear Mr. Leader,

Tomorrow, the Senate is scheduled to vote on the Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty. I firmly believe the Treaty is in the national interest.
However, I recognize that there are a significant number of Senators
who have honest disagreements. I believe that proceeding to a vote
under these circumstances would severely harm the national security of
the United States, damage our relationship with our allies, and
undermine our historic leadership over forty years, through
administrations Republican and Democratic, in reducing the nuclear
threat.

Accordingly, I request that you postpone consideration of the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty on the Senate floor.

Sincerely,

Bill Clinton
(signed)

The Honorable Trent Lott
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-2403

The Honorable Thomas A. Daschle
Democratic Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510-4103

(end text)