[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[September 24, 1998]
[Pages 1658-1659]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Anniversaries of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and 
the Limited Test Ban Treaty
September 24, 1998

    Two years ago today, I was proud to be the first world leader to 
sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty--first proposed by President 
Eisenhower over 40 years ago. Since then, 150

[[Page 1659]]

states have signed this historic treaty, including all of our NATO 
Allies, Russia, China, Israel, Japan, and South Korea. Twenty states 
already have ratified the CTBT, including Britain, France, Germany, 
Australia, and Brazil. It is my strong hope that India and Pakistan will 
join the list and thereby reduce nuclear tensions in South Asia. I 
discussed this with Prime Minister Sharif on Monday, and I welcome his 
commitment yesterday to adhere to the treaty by next fall. I look 
forward to further discussion with the leaders of Pakistan and India as 
we emphasize our common obligation to build peace and stability.
    Today also marks the 35th anniversary of the Senate bipartisan vote, 
80-19, to approve the Limited Test Ban Treaty, which President Kennedy 
considered his greatest accomplishment as President. In 1963, Senate 
approval of the LTBT took place less than 2 months after it was signed 
and within 7 weeks of its submission to the Senate. Contrast that with 
the CTBT. A year after it was submitted, the Senate has yet to take any 
action toward ratification.
    The CTBT will ban all nuclear weapons explosions. As a result, it 
will constrain the development of more sophisticated and powerful 
nuclear weapons and give us a powerful new tool in the fight against the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The American people 
understand that Senate approval of the CTBT is the right thing to do. I 
strongly urge the Senate to give its advice and consent as early as 
possible next year.

Note: The statement referred to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan.