[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.