U.S. Senate leader predicts defeat for nuclear treaty

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U.S. Senate Republican Leader
Trent Lott, raising the stakes in a face-off with the White
House, predicted on Tuesday that the Senate would reject a
global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests and urged President
Bill Clinton to stop pressing for swift ratification.

WASHINGTON, Oct 5 (Reuters) – U.S. Senate Republican Leader
Trent Lott, raising the stakes in a face-off with the White
House, predicted on Tuesday that the Senate would reject a
global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests and urged President
Bill Clinton to stop pressing for swift ratification.
Although the treaty is set for a vote on Tuesday, Lott said
many senators worried that it would be difficult to verify
treaty provisions relating to underground testing, the spread of
nuclear weapons technology and stockpiles of armaments.
I think it is unwise for the administration to have pushed
for this treaty as they have when the timing is not right and
when its very dangerous for the future of our children and our
grandchildren, Lott said.
They, in effect, have forced this vote, the Mississippi
Republican said. Now, theyre going to have to make a decision
to go forward and have the vote occur. And if the vote occurs, I
hope and I believe the treaty will be defeated.

Reuters