DATE:09/30/94 TITLE:SOUTH ASIA WARNED AGAINST DANGERS OF NUCLEAR, MISSILE RACES (09/30/94) TEXT:*94093003.POL SOUTH ASIA WARNED AGAINST DANGERS OF NUCLEAR, MISSILE RACES (Christopher highlights SAARC's economic development) (480) By Russell Dybvik USIA Diplomatic Correspondent New York -- Emphasizing the role that regional organizations play in reducing tensions and promoting economic development, Secretary of State Christopher warned Pakistan and India September 29 against the dangers of a nuclear arms or missile race in South Asia. "We hope that India and Pakistan will engage in direct discussions on nuclear and missile non-proliferation," Christopher said while hosting a meeting with leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). "We believe that regional organizations are especially well attuned to help to reduce tensions, to bolster stability, and to promote constructive relations within your region," the secretary told his audience of senior officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He cited the return to democracy in Bangladesh and the transition to democracy in Nepal, noting they have touched more people than the return of democracy to Eastern Europe although the latter is much more talked about. The secretary said the Clinton administration is committed to strengthening its partnership with South Asia, an area he described as one of intense economic growth and development. U.S. investment in India has increased more in the past year than in the preceding four decades of Indian independence, he said, and Pakistan, too, has undertaken a long-term economic reform program. "We all know that sustained development cannot take place unless there are stable foundations of peace," Christopher pointed out, calling for redoubled efforts to tackle longstanding differences between the two countries. "America will work with you in dealing with the critical issues of the deployment of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles," he said. "The fact is that a nuclear arms race or a missile race in South Asia would jeopardize not just stability in your region, but could affect nuclear proliferation all over the globe," the secretary said. "So we share a responsibility to address together these problems of nuclear expansion." He said the United States is committed to working with India and Pakistan on a comprehensive test ban and a fissile materials cutoff. "Meeting challenges like these will require a lot of resolve and a lot of determination on the part of your nations and your people," Christopher said, pledging to work with both nations to build a relationship that is constructive, balanced and mutually beneficial. He told Foreign Minister Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh that his country "has eloquently demonstrated its commitment to democracy" by joining the coalition of multinational forces that is engaged in returning democracy to Haiti. 1For years you have demonstrated that you have a global view toward peacekeeping," Christopher said. "You and other South Asian states have been among the major contributors to U.N. peacekeeping forces around the world." NNNN .
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