Remarks to the 51st UN General Assembly
September 24, 1996
"By overwhelming global consensus, we will make a solemn commitment to end all nuclear tests
for all time. Before entering this hall I had the great honor to be the first leader to sign the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. I did so with this pen, for this pen is the very one that President
Kennedy used to help bring the Limited Test Ban Treaty to life 33 years ago. This
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty will help to prevent the nuclear powers from developing more
advanced and more dangerous weapons. It will limit the ability of other states to acquire such
devices themselves. It points us toward a century in which the roles and risks of nuclear weapons
can be further reduced, and ultimately eliminated.
"...I thank the Secretary General for the remarks he made this morning
in establishing the criteria and standards and support of the
United Nations as a depository of the treaty.
The signature of the world's declared nuclear power
-- the United States, China, France, Russia and the United
Kingdom -- along with those of the vast majority of its nations,
will immediately create an international norm against nuclear
testing, even before the treaty formally enters into force.
"The CTBT is the shared work of hard negotiation.
Some have complained that it does not mandate total nuclear
disarmament by a date certain. I would say to them, do not
forsake the benefits of this achievement by ignoring the
tremendous progress we have already made toward that goal.
"...Thirty-three years ago, at the height of the Cold
War, President Kennedy spoke at American University in
Washington. ... he announced that
talks would shortly begin in Moscow on a comprehensive test ban
treaty. President Kennedy's vision exceeded the possibilities of
his time. But his words speak to us still. As we sign our names
to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the longest sought, hardest
fought prize in arms control history, let us summon the
confidence of earlier pioneers and set our sights on the
challenges of the new century."
Remarks upon departure, Kansas City International Airport
September 10, 1996
"Today in New York the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to adopt the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.... On behalf of the American people, I will have the
honor to sign this historic treaty. Our signature, along with that of Russia, China, France, the
United Kingdom, and the vast majority of nations around the world will create an international
barrier against nuclear testing as soon as we sign. With this treaty we're on the verge of realizing
a decades-old dream, that no nuclear weapons will be detonated anywhere on the face of the
Earth. This has been a dream of American leaders going back to Presidents Eisenhower and
Kennedy. They long worked for a safer world at home and abroad. By banning all nuclear tests
for all time, the treaty will constrain any nation from improving its existing nuclear arsenal and
end the development of advanced nuclear weapons and help to stop their spread. We're taking
the next crucial step to lift the dark cloud of nuclear fear that has hung over the world for 50
years now."
Statement by the President
June 28, 1996
"American leaders since Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy have believed a comprehensive test
ban would be a major stride in the international effort against nuclear proliferation and toward our
ultimate goal of nuclear disarmament. Over the past four decades, many world leaders, including
Jawaharlal Nehru of India and Harold Macmillan of Great Britain, along with citizens from around
the globe have worked hard to achieve a CTBT. ... As President, my most basic duty is to protect
the security of the American people. That's why I have made reducing the nuclear threat one of
my highest priorities."
