Political Quotes

“I think that the flaw in the argument just stated is obvious. It is true, as Senator Conrad points out, that there are no words in his amendment that talk about taking American tactical weapons out of Europe. That is not the point I was making. It is also true he could have said that there are no words in here that specifically call for the United States to reduce the number of American missiles. He then makes the point that it would be desirable, since the Russians have more tactical nuclear weapons than we do, to get them to reduce those numbers. Indeed, it would. But I ask you, Mr. President, how we are going to initiate discussions--which is what this amendment precisely calls for as a condition to moving forward here--without putting at risk some of the American tactical nuclear weapons. I discussed all of the reasons why we need those tactical nuclear weapons. The very point that Senator Conrad makes, that the Russians have a lot more than we do, makes the point that we can't afford to reduce the number that we have. So, as a practical matter, while the words about reducing our tactical weapons are not in the amendment, there is no way to get the Russians to reduce their numbers unless we reduce our numbers as well. That is why, as I said, Mr. President, this amendment, which would have the effect, if these negotiations are in any way successful from Senator Conrad's point of view, of reducing American tactical nuclear weapons.”