Civic Economics - Page A1
March 22, 1997
HELSINKI NUCLEAR PACT
By Edward Templeton, Staff Military Writer, Daily Republican Newspaper
TO PLACE U.S. AT RISKWASHINGTON DESK - President Clinton, on Tuesday, has moved the U.S. into an ABM pact with Russia that would prevent the U.S. military's use of nuclear weapons in defense of the United States. The arms limitation agreement calls for U.S. nuclear disarmament by reducing U.S. strategic nuclear arsenals by more than 80 percent.
Clinton plans to scrap the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which bars development and deployment of missile defenses against inter continental weapons but permits smaller defenses to protect troops against Scud-type, short-range missiles. The Clinton administration plans to send this new treaty to Capitol Hill for ratification in view of the abandonment of the original 1972 ABM treaty.
Clinton and Russian president Boris Yeltsin worked out the deal behind closed doors. After news leaked out about what Clinton had been negotiating in Helsinki, House speaker, Newt Gingrich released a statement in which he pointed out the serious mistake of '... placing the lives of our brave fighting men and women - and ultimately millions of Americans - in jeopardy. An effective missile defense is a matter of life and death. President Clinton has chosen the false security of diplomats and lawyers over the long-term safety of the American people.'
In support of speaker Gingrich policy position on Clinton's abandonment of the 1972 ABM treaty on Tuesday were, Congressmen Bob Livingston(R) who heads the House Appropriations Committee, and Christopher Cox(R).
The existing ABM Treaty bans comprehensive missile defenses and has maintained the nuclear balance by guaranteeing a devastating second strike against a nuclear attack.
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