[Excerpts] COHEN URGES FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN U.S., RUSSIAN NUCLEAR ARMS
(Says weapons of mass destruction pose grave threat)
By Jacquelyn S. Porth
USIA Security Affairs Writer 22 Jan 97

Washington -- Defense Secretary-designate William Cohen, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 99-0 vote January 22, says there are too many nuclear weapons in both the U.S. and Russian inventories and that there should be "significant reductions in the future."

The process for further disarmament, however, he said, is already in place and the critical element is for the Russian parliament (Duma) to ratify the second START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) agreement.

The vote in the Duma will be a "tough" one, he said, but START II ratification is in the interests of both nations because it will enable them to move forward and start discussions about "even greater reductions" under START III.

Cohen, who will become the 20th secretary of defense, told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing January 22 that weapons of mass destruction present "the gravest threat that the world has ever known." More and more countries, he noted, are developing capabilities for potential use of these weapons in regional or long distance conflicts. Greater efforts, additional funding, and better intelligence must be used to combat this threat, he said.

Stressing the need for U.S. Senate ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), Cohen said it would be best to ratify the CWC now so that the United States will secure one of the 41 seats on the CWC Executive Council that will establish the inspection regime for the treaty.

Cohen also said the Clinton administration is putting the subject of NATO enlargement at the top of its agenda. He said it is important for the Executive Branch to begin the process of educating the American public and Congress about the costs and benefits of enlargement.

Cohen said the first group of nations to be invited to join the alliance will not be publicly known until NATO meets in July. However, it is important to remember, he said, that "there will be second and third entries" into NATO as other countries meet the requirements for joining the alliance. He noted several times in his testimony that this is just the beginning of the NATO enlargement process "and not the end," and that potential membership should not be prejudged.

Asked about the Russian role with respect to NATO enlargement, Cohen pointed out that NATO deliberations and refinements on this subject have to evolve. One scenario might result in a NATO-Russian charter that would give Russia a NATO forum in which to express its opinion on the enlargement issue, he said, but without an opportunity to veto NATO decisions. Another scenario might be the formation of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe-Russian charter.

In any case the secretary-designate said it is important that Russia not perceive NATO enlargement as a threat, "but actually a benefit of stabilizing a region that has been the place where two world wars have started."

Cohen was also asked about the administration's plans to consult with Congress if it intends to make substantive changes in the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. He said he believes that "substantive modifications" to an agreement ratified by the Senate, such as the ABM Treaty, require the administration to return to the Senate for its consideration.