Clinton's Commitment to Disarm Acknowledged

[The.Greenbase@gb.greenpeace.org]

>> GREENPEACE ACKNOWLEDGES PRESIDENT CLINTON'S COMMITMENT TO THE  


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                    GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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>> GREENPEACE ACKNOWLEDGES PRESIDENT CLINTON'S COMMITMENT TO THE  
 "ELIMINATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS" AND SUGGESTS PROMPT ACTIONS  
 
WASHINGTON, DC March 1, 1995 (GP) Greenpeace today applauds
President Clinton's commitment to the ultimate "elimination of
nuclear weapons,"  but also notes that the President's speech
this evening was short on specific actions towards disarmament.
 
"President Clinton has finally publicly committed the U.S. to the
goal of zero nuclear weapons," said Disarmament Campaigner Chris
Zimmer.  "But, his words must be promptly followed by far
reaching cuts in the U.S. nuclear arsenal beyond START II, a halt
to weapons modernization, and a clear timeline for complete
nuclear disarmament."
 
Greenpeace proposes the following actions in support of the
President's disarmament pledge:
*  Halt the modernization of the Trident II and Minuteman III
nuclear missiles;
*  Stop plans to retain the capabilities to research, test, and
produce new nuclear weapons into the next century;
*  Halt Pentagon plans to use nuclear weapons to counter the
proliferation and use of weapons of mass destruction in the Third
World; and, most importantly, 
*  A specific timeline for the total elimination of nuclear
weapons.
 
The President also reiterated strong U.S. support for the
unconditional and indefinite extension of the NPT.  Such
extension would lock in the many flaws of the NPT and would
provide no incentive for the nuclear powers to disarm.  A series
of limited extensions, linked to a clear schedule for total
nuclear disarmament, would do far more for international security
and nonproliferation than the current U.S. strategy. A truly
effective, international nuclear nonproliferation regime must
also stop the promotion of "peaceful" nuclear energy
technologies.  
 
ENDS
 
For more information:  Chris Zimmer, Disarmament Campaigner,
202/319-2514