Speech #1010055680

Each of these reports has made it clearer that the pace of proliferation in longrange missiles and other weapons systems that can be used for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction is becoming faster than we have previously feared. Recent events have made it clear that we should not wait to introduce such legislation. and that we need to make it clear to both the exporters of longrange offensive weapons. and the importers. that the United States has the will and courage to force foreign firms and entities to make a clear choice between the limited profits to be made from proliferating the tools of mass destruction. and access to U.S. technology and the American market. We have already seen that the current arms race in the developing world can lead to the death of hundreds of thousands of people. and the creation of millions of refugees. We have seen that far too many of the worlds poorer states are willing to mortgage their future by spending far more than they can afford on conventional arms. It is all too clear that we to take firm action to establish suitable deterrents to persuade countries from importing such weapons and technology. and suitable deterrents to indigenous efforts.