White House Announcement on Binary Chemical Weapons Modernization

October 16, 1987

Today the President sent to Congress the certification required to begin final assembly of the 155mm binary chemical artillery projectiles. This is an important element of the long-needed modernization of the United States chemical weapon deterrent.

The President was pleased to make this certification on a program so vital to our national security. We seek a global, effectively verifiable ban on chemical weapons. Until we achieve that goal, however, it is essential that we maintain a safe, modern chemical weapon stockpile to deter use of chemical weapons by potential adversaries.