n e w s of t h e w e e k
w
At the Senate hearings, former Secretaries of Defense James R. Schlesinger, Donald H. Rumsfeld, and Caspar W. Weinberger were among those objecting to the treaty. Weinberger said the treaty was "well intentioned, but badly flawed." Rumsfeld contended that smaller U.S. chemical firms would risk losing proprietary information while large companies would have the resources to avoid such problems. The pact is strongly backed by CMA and the Synthetic Orflurry of activity in the past 10 days Speakers included Clinton, Vice Presi- ganic Chemical Manufacturers Associahas again roused hope among sup- dent Al Gore, Secretary of State Madeleine tion, which represent both large and porters of the Chemical Weapons Albright, Secretary of Defense William small companies. Convention (CWC) that the Senate will Cohen, former Republican Sens. Nancy Webber told C&EN he was encourratify the pact in time for the U.S. to be an Kassebaum-Baker and David L. Boren, and aged by recent developments, although original party. The pact has been ratified James A. Baker, who served as secretary of the treaty's approval by the Senate is still by 70 nations and takes effect on April 29, state in the Bush Administration. far from ensured. "President Clinton told with or without the U.S. on board. "No treaty can have perfect verifica- me that he knows there are six or seven As C&EN went to press, Senate Major- tion," said Kassebaum-Baker. "If we hold key votes to go," Webber said. Sixty-seven votes are required to ity Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) had not ratify the treaty. yet scheduled floor debate. However, Breslow told C&EN Lott and Senate Minority Leader Thomas he "was impressed with A. Daschle (D-S.D.) were negotiating the the strong bipartisan terms of a unanimous consent agreement support and support that could bring the treaty to the full Senfrom current and retired ate for debate this week, with a vote on military personnel whose ratification by April 24. Under the terms arguments for ratifying of the agreement, the Senate might also, the treaty seemed to among other things, vote on compromisme to be overwhelmes on various issues worked out between ing." After speaking Sens. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and Joseph R. with President Clinton, Biden Jr. (D-Del), chairman and ranking Breslow said he was minority member, respectively, of the "astonished that cerSenate Foreign Relations Committee tain support in the Sen(C&EN, March 17, page 20). ate is not a given, conThe latest round of lobbying on CWC ratification began April 4 on the South Among those gathered for the White House ceremony were sidering the range of ar(from left) Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. John M. guments in favor of Lawn of the White House, where Presi- Shallkashvill, Albright, Clinton, and Baker. ratification. I hope ACS dent Clinton hosted a bipartisan bevy of members who agree treaty supporters who called on the Senate to ratify the pact. On April 8 and 9, out for perfection, we will squander an with my feelings will contact their senHelms, one of the treaty's most steadfast opportunity to deal now with a real and ators for support." opponents, chaired hearings that gave growing threat to our security." Baker Madeleine Jacobs and Lois Ember detractors an opportunity to point out dismissed as "outrageous" the contenthe treaty's flaws. tion of treaty opponents that this treaty, The White House brought in nearly "negotiated under Presidents Reagan 120 treaty advocates, including current and Bush, would undermine national and former military personnel and lead- security." ers of business, religious, human rights, Speaking last in the lineup, Clinton and scientific organizations. Among at- said: "If the Senate fails to ratify the contendees were Frederick L. Webber, pres- vention before it enters into force, our ident of the Chemical Manufacturers As- national security and . . . our economic Epitope, a Beaverton, Ore.-based biosociation (CMA), which has long been security will suffer." He noted that the technology company, is suing to resupportive of the treaty, and Ronald U.S. would not be able to enforce rules it scind its recent purchase of Andrew & Breslow, immediate past-president of the had helped to write. "Ironically," he con- Williamson Sales Co., San Diego. A&W American Chemical Society and signer of tinued, "if we are outside this agreement is a distributor of, among other things, the ACS letter expressing support for the . . . it is our chemical companies, our frozen strawberries, some of which are treaty last summer. Also present was re- leading exporters, which will face man- believed to have caused an outbreak of tired Gen. Colin L. Powell, who, along datory trade restrictions that could cost hepatitis A. with other military leaders, recently them hundreds of millions of dollars in Epitope's $20 million lawsuit against signed a letter of support. sales." A&W's four former owners—all mem-
CHEMICAL ARMS: DEADLINE LOOMS Backers and opponents of treaty marshal bipartisan allies
A
Biotech firm tries to rid itself of tainted berry distributor
6 APRIL 14, 1997 C&EN
