Dianne Feinstein: “Mr. Berger makes clear that paragraph 7 of Article X, which spells out the obligations of States Parties to assist…”

“Mr. Berger makes clear that paragraph 7 of Article X, which spells out the obligations of States Parties to assist others threatened by chemical weapons, would require the United States to provide nothing more than medical antidotes and treatments to any state we deemed unreliable. We have the option to provide more advanced assistance to those nations we trust, but no obligation. The administration is so comfortable with this reading of the treaty, that, in their negotiations with Senator Helms and with the Majority Leader's task force on the CWC, they have agreed to a binding condition (number 15) that would ensure that the United States will not provide any assistance other than medical assistance to any rogue nation that becomes a party to the treaty. Another concern about Article X is that paragraph 3, which calls for parties to 'facilitate . . . the fullest possible exchange' of information and technology on protection against chemical weapons, would require the United States to share such equipment with rogue nations who sign and ratify the treaty. The administration has made clear that the use of the words 'facilitate' and 'possible' in this paragraph mean that we will determine whether any specific exchange is appropriate, and we will not pursue those we deem inappropriate. In making these decisions, we will do nothing to undermine our national export controls.”