    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 17 (Monday, May 3, 1999)]
    [Page 741]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Report on Certification
    of the Nuclear
    Weapons Stockpile

    April 23, 1999

    Dear __________:

        In my September 22, 1997, message transmitting the Comprehensive
    Nuclear Test Ban Treaty to the Senate for advice and consent to
    ratification, I announced that I would provide to the appropriate
    committees of Congress the annual certification of the nuclear weapons
    stockpile by the Secretaries of Defense and Energy and accompanying
    report. Enclosed is a copy of that certification and report.
        I am pleased to note the Secretaries' conclusion that the nuclear
    stockpile has no safety or reliability concerns that require underground
    testing at this time. Problems that have arisen in the stockpile are
    being addressed and resolved without underground nuclear testing to
    ensure the stockpile remains safe and reliable. In reaching this
    conclusion, the Secretaries obtained the advice of the Directors of the
    National Weapons Laboratories, the Commander in Chief, United States
    Strategic Command, and the Nuclear Weapons Council.
        Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton

    Note: Letters were sent to the congressional leadership and selected
    Representatives and Senators. This letter was released by the Office of
    the Press Secretary on April 26. An original was not available for
    verification of the content of this letter.