ACCESSION NUMBER:00000 FILE ID:96071803.NNE DATE:07/18/96 TITLE:18-07-96 ROBIN RAPHEL ON SOUTH ASIA AT JULY 18 STATE TOWN MEETING TEXT: (U.S. to continue its policy of broad engagement) (460) By Virginia Loo Farris USIA Staff Writer Washington -- The U.S. intends to continue its policy of "broad engagement with the governments of South Asia," declared Robin Raphel, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, at a U.S. Foreign Policy Town Meeting organized for regional media representatives on July 18 at the State Department. Raphel noted that the economic reforms and liberalization carried out by several South Asian governments had brought a lot of opportunities. Asked about relations with India after the change in governments, Raphel said that U.S. policy toward India had not changed and she envisioned Indo-American relations as "moving forward on as many fronts as we can." While the U.S. and India may differ on some issues, Raphel emphasized that there are "many areas where we cooperate. We all know what some of the differences are. Both sides are working hard to understand and manage those differences." One of the areas of difference is the U.S. and Indian positions on the draft treaty text of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The amended text was tabled June 28 when Jaap Ramaker, chairman of the negotiating committee, asked delegates from the 61 member states to return to their capitals and study the text. The talks are set to resume July 29 in Geneva. Raphel indicated that the U.S. was aware of India's position but expressed the hope that "India would respect the will of the large majority of countries" and let the treaty move forward. Asked about Pakistan and its acquisition of missile technology, Raphel responded that there is broad concern about missile proliferation in South Asia. The U.S. encourages all parties to "exercise restraint, to not deploy or introduce ballistic missiles." On the specific issue of transfers of M-11, Raphel said, "The standard of evidence is high and has not been met" as to possible infractions. While noting that terrorism is an issue in South Asia, Raphel "continued to be concerned about reports of training in terrorist camps in Afghanistan." In contrast, Raphel found Pakistan's cooperation on terrorism "quite good," mentioning their assistance on extraditions. On the question of Pakistan's support for militant groups in Kashmir, she said that Pakistan had pledged to clamp down on any terrorist activities. Raphel was also queried about U.S. provision of arms and training for Sri Lanka. She replied that the U.S. has "long had a modest military training with Sri Lanka;" there had been no change. Arms sales would continue on a case by case basis, Raphel said and affirmed that up to this point, there were "no lethal arms sales." NNNN .
