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Q: On another subject, if I may. The German government is now pressing that NATO make a major reversal of policy and declare no first use of nuclear weapons. In connection with that, the New York Times is reporting, the report's been around for a long time, the United States would like, the U.S. military would like to unilaterally cut nuclear weapons even if START II isn't approved because we simply can't afford the budget crisis to maintain them.
I wonder if you'd comment on those two issues.
Secretary Cohen: Since we have the new German Minister of Defense coming tomorrow perhaps we could discuss the new German position as far as the strategic doctrine is concerned for NATO. It is our position that this doctrine is viable. It's something that is integral to the NATO strategic doctrine. We think it makes sense and there's good rationale for keeping it as it is. That we have reduced our nuclear stocks rather dramatically, certainly at the theater level, and even at the strategic level under START I, hopefully coming down to START II levels as soon as the Russian Duma ratifies START II.
We think that the ambiguity involved in the issue of the use of nuclear weapons contributes to our own security, keeping any potential adversary who might use either chemical or biologicals unsure of what our response would be.
So we think it's a sound doctrine. It was adopted certainly during the Cold War, but modified even following and reaffirmed following at the end of the Cold War. It is an integral part of our strategic concept and we think it should remain exactly as it is.
With respect to the issue of nuclear levels, Congress of course has mandated that we maintain our nuclear levels at the START I levels until such time as the Russian Duma ratifies START II. We are, pursuant to congressional direction at least, exploring a variety of options which even according to the New York Times this morning, a report that was filed with Congress last spring was "a highly classified document." We intend to keep it at that level for the time being.
Q: Do you personally believe that it would be viable to unilaterally cut U.S. weapons given the budget constraints on the cost of maintaining these thousands of...
Secretary Cohen: As I've indicated before, it is costly to the United States to maintain those levels. It is more costly to Russia to maintain those levels. That is the reason why we have tried on each and every occasion to persuade our Russian counterparts it's in their interest as well as the United States to ratify START II as quickly as possible so we can reduce the levels down to the START II levels and then move on to START III.
Q: Have you or any other Pentagon official quietly recommended to the Administration that there be consideration of unilateral cuts as the New York Times story reports?
Secretary Cohen: I can't comment whether anyone has recommended such a proposal. We're looking at a variety of options in terms of how we deal with the issue of maintaining START I levels consistent with the congressional mandate.
..............Press: Thank you very much.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov1998/t11231998_t1123coh.html