[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 39 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Pages 1877-1878]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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

[[Page 1878]]

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: In his remarks, the President referred to Prime Minister Naraz 
Sharif of Pakistan.