DATE=7/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US-PAKISTAN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264037
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China has denied that it is selling missile
technology to Pakistan or otherwise aiding Pakistan's
missile program. As we hear from VOA correspondent
Roger Wilkison, China says a U-S newspaper report
alleging that Beijing is still shipping missile
components to Pakistan is groundless.
TEXT: The New York Times reported on Sunday that U-S
intelligence agencies have informed both the Clinton
administration and the U-S Congress that China has
continued to aid Pakistan's effort to build long-range
missiles that could carry nuclear weapons. China and
other permanent members of the United Nations Security
Council have committed themselves not to help India or
Pakistan develop nuclear weapons or ballistic missiles
that can carry such weapons.
India and Pakistan conducted tit-for-tat nuclear tests
two years ago, but western diplomats say it is not
known whether either country has developed nuclear
warheads or deployed any missiles capable of carrying
such devices.
The New York Times article quotes intelligence reports
as saying China has provided Pakistan with weapons-
grade steel, guidance systems and technical expertise.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi - speaking
Tuesday through an interpreter at a news briefing -
denied the report.
///INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///
I would like to point out explicitly to you that the
allegation that China exports missile technology to
Pakistan - these reports are entirely unfounded and
with ulterior motive.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Mr. Sun would not go into detail, but he says China
continues to abide by the agreement among the five
permanent members of the Security Council not to aid
India or Pakistan's nuclear and missile programs.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar has also
dismissed the reports that his country is currently
getting help from China. /// OPT /// Mr. Sattar says
Pakistan is able to conduct research into missiles on
its own and has not received Chinese-built missiles
since 1993. /// END OPT ///
U-S diplomats in Beijing say the US intelligence
reports are complicating President Clinton's efforts
to get a bill through the US Senate that would grant
China permanent low-tariff trading rights in the
United States.
/// REST OPT ///
The diplomats say the US State Department's top arms
control expert, John Holum, is due to arrive this week
in the Chinese capital to resume a dialogue with
Chinese officials on non-proliferation that was
suspended after NATO warplanes bombed the Chinese
embassy in Yugoslavia 14 months ago. They say the
reports that China is supplying Pakistan with missile
components and expertise are likely to be at the top
of Mr. Holum's agenda. (signed)
NEB/HK/RW/JO
04-Jul-2000 06:28 AM EDT (04-Jul-2000 1028 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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