[Presidential Decision Directives - PDD]

                            THE WHITE HOUSE



                  Office of the Press Secretary




                                                                  
For Immediate Release                             July 3, 1993


                     Background Information:


              U.S. Policy on Nuclear Testing and a 
                      Comprehensive Test Ban



The President announced in his weekly radio address today that 
his Administration had completed its review of U.S. policy on 
nuclear testing and a Comprehensive Test Ban (CTB).


Last year, Congress passed the Hatfield-Exon-Mitchell Amendment 
that directed that a CTB be negotiated by 1996.  To allow time to 
review whether further tests were needed, the Amendment also 
established an interim moratorium on nuclear testing through July 
1, 1993.  The Amendment provides that between 1993 and 1996, the 
United States could carry out up to twelve tests to improve the 
safety and confirm the reliability of U.S. nuclear weapons.  
Three other tests could be conducted in cooperation with the 
United Kingdom.


During the campaign, the President underscored his commitment to 
achieving a CTB, a commitment that he reaffirmed with President 
Yeltsin at the Vancouver summit.  On April 23, President Clinton 
announced that we would be starting a consultative process with 
Russia, our allies and other states, aimed at commencing CTB 
negotiations at an early date.


After a thorough review, the Administration determined that the 
nuclear weapons in the United States arsenal are safe and 
reliable.  Additional nuclear tests could help us prepare for a 
CTB and provide some additional improvements in safety and 
reliability.  However, the President determined that these 
benefits would be outweighed by the price we would pay in 
conducting those tests now -- through undercutting of our 
nonproliferation goals.


The President has therefore decided to extend the current 
moratorium on U.S. nuclear testing at least through September of 
next year as long as no other nation tests.  He has called on the 
other nuclear powers to do the same.  The President believes that 
if these nations join the United States in observing this 
moratorium, we will be in the strongest possible position to 
negotiate a CTB treaty.


The President will decide next year whether to extend this "no 
first test" policy beyond September 1994.  His decision will 
depend on a number of factors, including the status of the CTB 
negotiations and the willingness of the other nuclear powers to 
show reciprocal restraint in foregoing their own testing plans.
If, however, this moratorium is broken by another state, the 
President stated that he would direct the Department of Energy 
(DOE) to prepare to conduct additional tests while he seeks 
approval by Congress to test pursuant to the Hatfield-Exon-
Mitchell Amendment.  He has, therefore, directed DOE to maintain 
a capability to resume testing.


To assure our nuclear deterrent remains unquestioned under a CTB, 
the President has also directed DOE to explore other means of 
maintaining our confidence in the safety, reliability and 
performance of our nuclear weapons and to refocus much of the 
talent and resources of our nation's nuclear laboratories on new 
technologies to curb the spread of nuclear weapons and verify 
arms control treaties.


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