FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 11, 1995

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

Rick Oborn, 202-586-4940

STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY HAZEL R. O'LEARY ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF A CONTINUED U.S. NUCLEAR TEST BAN

I applaud President Clinton's decision to seek a zero yield Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The United States has demonstrated global leadership in stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and upholding the commitments made when the nuclear nonproliferation treaty was extended indefinitely.

The Department will continue to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of this Nation's nuclear deterrent. The Department's stockpile stewardship program will sustain a strong scientific and technical base of capable scientists, engineers, and facilities to maintain our Nation's defense needs, while supporting arms control and nonproliferation policy.

The Department's commitment to developing and instituting the science-based stockpile stewardship program will enable the Department to implement the President's call for annual certification of the nuclear weapons stockpile. We look forward to working with our nuclear weapons labs and the Secretary of Defense to maintain safeguards that define the conditions under which the Nation can enter into a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

--DOE--
R-95-116