FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 26, 1997

CONTACT: Daniel Horner, NCI
202-822-8444 (w); 202-462-4915 (h)

ARMS CONTROLLERS WARN CLINTON AGAINST NUCLEAR PACT WITH CHINA
UNTIL CHINA STOPS ASSISTING A-BOMB PROGRAMS IN PAKISTAN AND IRAN

Letter to President Lists 'Deeply Troubling' Issues
Including China's Refusal to Join Nuclear Suppliers Group

Washington---Nine U.S. arms-control organizations today released a letter they sent to President Clinton urging that he not authorize exports of American civilian nuclear reactors and fuel to China until he has "clear evidence" that China has actually stopped helping countries like Pakistan and Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.

President Clinton is now considering making activation of a dormant 1985 nuclear-trade agreement with China the centerpiece of his summit meeting with President Jiang Zemin in October. To do so, he is required by law to certify that China is not "directly or indirectly" assisting other countries to get the bomb. Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton all have been unable to make that finding because of China's nuclear proliferation record. The House International Relations Committee will hold a hearing Sept. 30 on this subject. The groups' letter lists "deeply troubling issues" about China's record on nuclear safeguards, export controls, exports to Pakistan and Iran, and use of plutonium. The text of the letter follows:

Group Letter to President Clinton on Nuclear Trade with China

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