    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [November 4, 1996]
    [Pages 2083-2084]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Prevention of Importation of Weapons
    of Mass Destruction
    November 4, 1996

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        I am writing pursuant to section 229 of the National Defense
    Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, to inform the Congress that the
    United States has the capability to prevent the illegal importation of
    nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons into the United States and its
    possessions.
        The United States Government has developed and maintains myriad
    international and domestic programs to prevent the illegal importation
    of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) into the United States. The scope
    and nature of our approach is essential because at least 20 countries
    have or may be developing nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
    Moreover, terrorist groups have become increasingly capable, often
    employing lethal, wide-ranging and sophisticated operating methods and
    technical expertise. This trend is exacerbated by the spread of dual-use
    technologies, many of which have legitimate civilian or military
    applications.
        Our response to this multi-dimensional threat begins far from our
    borders. The Departments of Defense and Energy, for example, have
    developed programs that have succeeded in eliminating or more fully
    safeguarding tons of fissile materials in the former Soviet Union. These
    materials--essential to nuclear weapons production--could be targeted
    for acquisition by terror-

    [[Page 2084]]

    ist groups or pariah nations and used against the United States. We also
    are assisting Russia in the elimination of the chemical weapons
    stockpile it inherited from the Soviet Union, and an interagency group
    is working with Kazakstan in the conversion of a former chemical weapons
    production facility to civilian use.
        Diplomacy is another instrument for combating the potential illegal
    importation of WMD. At the 1996 Moscow Nuclear Summit, the United
    States, Russia, and our G-7 partners agreed on an international program
    to combat illicit trafficking in nuclear materials. To this end, the
    Intelligence Community has expanded its liaison relationships with
    foreign intelligence services, and similar relationships have been
    expanded among law enforcement organizations. In addition, the
    indefinite extension in 1995 of the Non-Proliferation Treaty strengthens
    our efforts to control the spread of nuclear weapons. The United States
    also is working with other members of the International Community to
    help deny terrorists and rogue states access to chemical and biological
    weapons by ratifying and bringing into force the Chemical Weapons
    Convention, and by concluding a legally binding protocol to strengthen
    the Biological Weapons Convention.
        Prevention of WMD importation also receives high priority for
    intelligence collection. This is particularly important because one of
    our first lines of defense is to discover the hidden plans and
    intentions of countries and groups of concern well before we have to
    confront their weapons or efforts to smuggle these weapons into the
    United States. Because of intelligence successes and cooperation with
    foreign governments, the United States has halted the international
    transfer of a large amount of equipment that could be used in WMD
    programs. The efforts of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies
    are supported by a Department of Defense initiative to develop special
    technologies--including BW/CW sensors to counter terrorist WMD threats.
        Within the United States, the FBI has been assigned the lead law
    enforcement role in responding to threats or acts of nuclear, chemical,
    and biological terrorism. The FBI's criminal jurisdiction is based in
    Federal statutes, including title 18 and title 42 of the United States
    Code, which address planned or attempted acts of nuclear, chemical, and
    biological terrorism. Moreover, in April 1996, title 18 was amended to
    prohibit transactions involving nuclear byproduct materials, providing
    additional statutory authority over radiological threats. While the
    probability of a major terrorist or criminal-related WMD incident
    occurring in the United States cannot be realistically quantified, to
    date all of the threats investigated by the FBI have been determined to
    be noncredible. Nonetheless, the FBI is aggressively pursuing
    countermeasures and readiness programs to respond to a threat to
    develop, use, or import WMD.
        As the Nation's primary border enforcement agency, the Customs
    Service has taken the lead in working with other United States
    Government agencies to prevent any attempts to illegally import WMD into
    the United States. During the past year, the Customs Service program has
    focused on preventing illegal trafficking in prohibited materials and
    components as well as their delivery means. The Customs Service also
    initiated a major research and development effort aimed at detecting any
    nuclear devices or materials being smuggled across this Nation's
    borders. Various detection means were tested and a pilot test was
    conducted at the JFK Airport in New York in 1996. The Customs Service
    also has played a leading role in developing a Border Enhancement
    Training course for 10 countries in parts of the former Soviet Union and
    Eastern Europe.
        In conclusion, the United States Government has devoted significant
    resources to developing the capability to detect and prevent efforts to
    illegally import nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons into the
    United States or its possessions. These efforts range from international
    cooperation to domestic law enforcement. I take this threat seriously,
    and my Administration will continue to strengthen our capability to
    prevent illegal importation of such weapons. In this regard, the funding
    provided in the National Defense Authorization Act will enhance our
    existing capabilities.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. This
    letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on November 6.