This course is misguided and dangerous. Essential international arms control treaties designed to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction have been held hostage to other issues. Funding is slashed for programs which provide the front line of defense against the nuclear danger by reducing the threat itself, while billions of dollars are being poured into ballistic missile defense, the last and most questionable line of defense. These actions make reducing nuclear dangers harder, while funding redundant and gold-plated missile defense programs that waste taxpayer dollars. The burden falls on President Clinton to exercise leadership in reducing the nuclear threat.
Presidential involvement requires a far-sighted plan on how to proceed.
The President must work aggressively to accomplish the prompt ratification of key treaties to reduce or eliminate weapons of mass destruction. Strengthen the front lines of defense by reducing the level of nuclear threats. This program should reflect the political commitments undertaken by the United States in connection with the indefinite extension of the NPT at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference. In addition, there must be a continuing concerted effort to strengthen existing non-proliferation regimes, to make export controls more effective, and to address specific country and regional proliferation threats. Furthermore, a long-range strategy must be developed to deal with the threat posed by plutonium generated in civil nuclear programs.