Political Quotes

“I oppose strongly the amendment on nuclear testing offered by the Senators from Arizona and Nevada, Mr. Kyl and Mr. Reid. The United States is currently in the forefront of nations seeking a comprehensive ban on nuclear explosions. Members of the administration have worked assiduously to remove obstacles to such a ban both in the United States and among the other nuclear powers. Currently, we are in the final stages of an effort that could culminate an agreement on the text by June 28, with the opening of the text for signatures occurring this coming September. Getting us to this point, at which a comprehensive treaty ban is almost in hand, has been both slow and tortuous. I recall well that President John F. Kennedy hoped to bring about a complete ban on nuclear testing. By building upon the positive aspects on both sides, he was able to bring about the breakthrough that produced the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963, which limited nuclear testing to the underground environment and spared the world further exposure to radiation and fallout from the tests by the three signatories, the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union.”