In August 9 remarks
at Fort Meyer, Virginia, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the establishment
of the post of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, President Clinton
recalled that four former Chairmen, as well as the current Chairman, General
Shelton, have expressed their support for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban
Treaty (CTBT). The President's remarks follow:
"General Bradley said a long time ago that
the way to win a nuclear war is to make sure it never starts. I would like
to thank the former Chairs of the Joint Chiefs who have endorsed the ratification
of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to end nuclear testing
forever, proposed by President Eisenhower, championed by President Kennedy,
signed now by the United States and over 150 other countries -- 41 of them
have ratified it. Four of our former Chairs -- General Jones, Admiral Crowe,
General Powell, General Shalikashvili -- have issued a statement endorsing
the treaty, agreeing with the current Chair, General Shelton, that it is
in America's interest.
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"Why? Because we have
already stopped testing; our leading experts say we can maintain a safe
and reliable nuclear deterrent without further tests; and the only
remaining question is, will we join or lose a verifiable treaty that can
prevent other countries from testing nuclear weapons. If we don't ratify
it, by its terms the treaty can't enter into force. And countries all around
the world will feel more pressure to develop and test weapons in ever more
destructive varieties and sizes, threatening the security of everyone on
Earth.
"So, today, once again, as we honor the Joint
Chiefs, the individuals and the institutions, I ask the Senator Foreign
Relations Committee to hold hearings on the treaty this fall, and the full
Senate to vote for ratification as soon as possible. This will strengthen
national security not only of the United States, but of people around the
world. This will help the new Chairs of the Joint Chiefs in the future
not only to prepare for war, but to avoid it." |
