[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10279-S10280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY

  Mr. EXON. Although there are many important things the U.S. Senate is 
in the process of doing right now, I want to pause for just a moment, 
if I might, to bring to my colleagues attention that yesterday, history 
was made at the U.N. General Assembly. After nearly 3 years of intense 
negotiations at the 61. Nation Conference on Disarmament, the world 
community reached an agreement on a treaty to ban nuclear weapons 
testing. This Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, strongly supported by all 
five declared nuclear states, was overwhelmingly adopted by the U.N. 
General Assembly on a vote of 158 to 3 with 5 abstentions, clearing the 
way for world's nations--actual and potential nuclear states alike--to 
sign the agreement later this month.
  After over 40 years of nuclear weapons testing and more than 2,000 
detonations, this valuable tool in stemming nuclear weapons 
proliferation is finally within reach. In order for the treaty to enter 
into force, each of the world's 44 nations identified as possessing 
nuclear weapons or the research capability necessary to develop them 
must sign the comprehensive test ban agreement. As my colleagues are 
aware, India has led a high-profile campaign to prevent this from 
happening and frustrate the will of the world community to close the 
nuclear weapons Pandora's box. This temporary setback should not 
diminish, however, the significance of yesterday's truly historic vote. 
I am confident that India will see the wisdom of halting the spread of 
nuclear weapons and sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty before too 
long. In the meantime, mankind can celebrate the fact that for the 
first time in history, the world's superpowers have agreed to end the 
testing of nuclear weapons forever.

  Many of our allies played critical roles over the past 3 years in 
making passage of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty a reality. But I 
wish to take this opportunity to praise President Bill Clinton for his 
leadership on the issue of the Test Ban Treaty and nuclear weapons 
proliferation. The United States has been a world leader in halting the 
spread of nuclear weapons technology during the tenure of the Clinton 
administration. The earlier extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation 
Treaty and now the completion of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty are 
important milestones in the history of arms control, and the President 
deserves a great deal of credit in making it happen.
  In addition to lauding President Clinton's dedication to this 
important aspect of our national security, I wish to praise the efforts 
of Secretary of State Warren Christopher, Arms Control and Disarmament 
Agency head John Holum, and U.S. negotiator to the conference on 
disarmament Stephen Ledogar.
  I wish also to single out the tireless dedication of Senator Mark 
Hatfield to the cause of a verifiable Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. As 
my colleagues know, Senator Hatfield will be leaving the U.S. Senate at 
the conclusion

[[Page S10280]]

of this session, ending 30 years of distinguished service to his 
country. I can think of no more fitting way to highlight the last few 
months of his career than yesterday's treaty approval. Four years ago, 
I joined him and former majority leader George Mitchell in authoring a 
law phasing out American nuclear weapons testing and jump-starting 
international negotiations designed to achieve a permanent test ban. It 
is, therefore, with a great deal of pride that I herald the action of 
the General Assembly and look forward to the treaty signing ceremony 
later this month. I remind the Senate, with Senator Mitchell gone and 
Senator Hatfield and myself leaving come January, the continued 
leadership in this area falls to Senator Levin and others to take up 
the challenge.
  Mr. President, I thank the Senate and I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time of the Senator has expired. Who seeks 
recognition?
  Mr. THOMAS addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wyoming is recognized.
  Mr. THOMAS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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