    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [May 11, 1995]
    [Pages 680-681]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
    May 11, 1995

        Today in New York the nations of the world made history. The
    decision by consensus to extend indefinitely the Nuclear Non-
    Proliferation Treaty without conditions is a critical step in making the
    American people--and people throughout the world--more safe and secure.
    It will build a better future for our children and the generations to
    come.
        Indefinite extension of the NPT has been a central priority of my
    Administration--the primary item on the most ambitious arms control
    agenda since the dawn of the nuclear age. For 25 years, the NPT has been
    the cornerstone of global efforts to reduce the danger of nuclear
    weapons. Today's overwhelming consensus in favor of making the treaty
    permanent testifies to a deep and abiding international commitment to
    confront the danger posed by nuclear weapons.
        It is fitting that we should do this today. This week, all the
    world's peoples have joined together to commemorate the events of 50
    years ago, when the Allied forces defeated fascism but much of the world
    lay shattered by war and shrouded by the dawn of the atomic age. After
    five decades of cold war competition and the specter of nuclear
    holocaust between East and West, the decision to make the Non-
    Proliferation Treaty permanent opens a new and more hopeful chapter in
    our history.
        The nuclear danger has not ended. The capability to build nuclear
    weapons cannot be unlearned, nor will evil ambition disappear. But the
    overwhelming consensus in favor of the Treaty and its future attests to
    a deep and abiding international commitment to confront the nuclear
    danger by rejecting nuclear proliferation. This decision says to our
    children and all who follow: The community of nations will remain
    steadfast in opposing the dangerous spread of nuclear weapons.
        I am especially pleased to receive this news in Kiev, for Ukraine's
    adherence to the NPT as a nonnuclear weapons state and its action to
    bring START I into force were major contributions to the effort to
    achieve indefinite extension of the Treaty. I want once more to thank
    President Kuchma for these important and positive steps.
        This moment also owes much to the progress made by the United States
    and Russia in reducing and dismantling strategic nuclear arsenals. As
    one of the three depositaries of the NPT, Russia has worked closely with
    us and others to bring about the Treaty's indefinite extension.
        This event is a victory for all. I want to express my appreciation
    to all of the countries who worked hard to achieve a successful outcome
    to the NPT Extension Conference, and who have made a decision that
    strengthens the security of every nation and of all people.

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