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12 February 1998

TEXT: CLINTON LETTER TO CONGRESS ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS STOCKPILE

(Forwards annual certification of nuclear weapons stockpile) (300)
Washington -- In a letter of February 11 to "the Congressional
Leadership and selected Representatives and Senators," President
Clinton forwarded "the annual certification of the nuclear weapons
stockpile" by the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Energy.
"I am pleased to note the Secretaries' conclusion that the nuclear
stockpile has no safety or reliability concerns that require
underground testing at this time," Clinton said.
"Problems that have arisen in the stockpile," the President said, "are
being addressed and resolved without underground nuclear testing to
ensure the stockpile remains safe and reliable."
Following is the White House text:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
February 12, 1998
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
AND SELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS
February 11, 1998
In my September 22, 1997, message to the Senate transmitting the
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) for advice and consent to
ratification, I announced that I would provide to the appropriate
committees of Congress the annual certification of the nuclear weapons
stockpile by the Secretaries of Defense and Energy and accompanying
report. Attached is a copy of that certification and report.
I am pleased to note the Secretaries' conclusion that the nuclear
stockpile has no safety or reliability concerns that require
underground testing at this time. Problems that have arisen in the
stockpile are being addressed and resolved without underground nuclear
testing to ensure the stockpile remains safe and reliable. In reaching
this conclusion, the Secretaries obtained the advice of the Directors
of the National Weapons Laboratories, the Commander in Chief, United
States Strategic Command, and the Nuclear Weapons Council.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
(end text)