Mark Hatfield: “Mr. President, our negotiators in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty conference are on the brink of success from many…”

“Mr. President, our negotiators in the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty conference are on the brink of success from many perspectives. The conference concludes at the end of this month, so in 3 days we will know if the goal that we have worked toward for 40 years will come to fruition. I am speaking of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which has been a goal of mine for many years. When we passed the current moratorium on nuclear testing in 1992, we provided significant momentum toward the CTBT. I am very concerned that the amendment pending is characterized as a minor change in policy and a clarification of the original moratorium of testing which is current law. Let me be clear that this is not a simple change. This amendment will have the effect of completely undermining the baseline agreement reflected in that moratorium created in 1992 and the momentum for a CTBT. I think it sends a signal that somehow we are backing out or changing our mind on that moratorium--one that I worked 27 years to achieve.”