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Late Breaking News |
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| Date: July 22, 1998 10:48 am Contact: Coalition To Reduce Nuclear Dangers Adam Eidinger, 202-547-3577; or Daryl Kimball, Director (202) 546-0795 |
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Latest News Releases
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86% of Oregon Voters Support Senate Approval of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty | ||
| WASHINGTON - July 22 - Oregonians are nearly unanimous in their support
for Senate approval of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), according to a new
bipartisan, statewide poll released today. When asked: "Do you think the U.S. Senate
should approve a Treaty with 140 other countries that would prohibit underground nuclear
weapons explosions worldwide," 86% of Oregon voters say the treaty should be approved
and more than three-quarters (76%) of whom "strongly support" approval. Only 10%
say it should not be approved. Support for the treaty is overwhelming among Republicans
(84% approve), Democrats (87% approve) and independents (91% approve). Indeed, support
cuts across every demographic and geographic group. Support for the CTBT in Oregon (86%)
is even higher than it is nationwide (73%, according to a May 1998 survey). The poll was commissioned by the Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers, a non-partisan alliance of 17 of the nation's leading arms control organizations. The survey results are based on the findings of an opinion survey of 400 registered Oregon voters conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide, a Republican polling firm, and a Democratic firm, The Mellman Group from June 20- 24, 1998. The statistical margin of error is plus or minus 4.9%. The test ban treaty was submitted to the Senate last year, but the Senate has so far failed to act on the treaty, which has gained new significance since India and Pakistan conducted nuclear blasts in May and June. The current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff and four previous chairmen, including Gen. Colin Powell, have endorsed the CTBT. "Now is the time for Congressional leaders to act, not to delay or stand idly by. The test ban treaty is clearly in our security interests and Oregonians and the vast majority of Americans wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, a very few Senate leaders are unwisely blocking a vote -- and even debate -- on the treaty," says former Oregon Congressman Michael J. Kopetski, author of the 1992 law that led to the current U.S. nuclear test moratorium. "President Clinton and the Senate must work together to stop nuclear testing before the seeds of nuclear proliferation take stronger root in South Asia and elsewhere around the globe," he added. Oregonians See Test Ban As "More Important" After South Asian Nuclear Tests: Despite the repeated calls, Senate leaders Trent Lott (R-MS) and Jesse Helms (R-NC) have defied public opinion and labeled the treaty "irrelevant." Such thinking is out of step with the views of Oregonians. Eighty percent of Oregonians said that they think the recent nuclear tests by India and Pakistan "demonstrate how important it is for the U.S. to ratify and encourage global implementation of the CTBT." Oregonians have a high level of awareness of the nuclear testing by India and Pakistan. Eighty-seven percent of Oregon voters say the have heard about the tests, with 86% saying the tests pose a "serious threat to international security." Oregon voters were also asked whether they "favor" or "oppose" a variety of possible U.S. government responses to the tests by India and Pakistan. An overwhelming 90% favor urging India and Pakistan to approve the test ban and 79% favor U.S. ratification of the CTBT as the best responses. These proposals were far more popular than imposing strong economic and political sanctions (62% in favor, 27% opposed), or increasing military spending to develop and deploy a nuclear missile defense (23% in favor, 73% opposed). "The Senate's do-nothing approach on the test ban treaty is irresponsible and dangerous. It hurts efforts to protect America and the world from the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the possibility of nuclear war. The overwhelming public support for the test ban is a wake-up call for the Senate to approve the treaty and stop nuclear blasts worldwide," says Daryl Kimball, Director of the Coalition to Reduce Nuclear Dangers. Another survey question reveals that when given the choice between two possible candidates for Senate -- one who supports the CTBT and the other who opposes the CTBT -- 73% of Oregonians solidly prefer a candidate who supports the CTBT, while only 20% would support a candidate who opposes the treaty. -- 30 -- For survey questions, detailed analysis of the survey results, or inquires for the
availability of spokespersons for interview, including Congressman Kopetski, please
contact Adam Eidinger at 202-547-3577. |
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