Source: Voice of America
DATE=3/4/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-210884
TITLE=INDIA / MISSILES / S-O
BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: INDIAN PRIME MINISTER H-D DEVE GOWDA HAS PROMISED FULL SUPPORT FOR A CONTROVERSIAL LONG-RANGE MISSILE PROJECT -- THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHICH HAS BEEN HELD BACK UNDER WESTERN PRESSURE. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE HAS MORE FROM NEW DELHI.
TEXT: PRIME MINISTER GOWDA TOLD PARLIAMENT TUESDAY HIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT GIVING UP DEVELOPMENT OF THE AGNI MISSILE, WHICH EXPERTS SAY COULD CARRY A NUCLEAR WARHEAD AS FAR AS BEIJING.
MR. GOWDA SAYS INDIAN ROCKET SCIENTISTS WILL RECEIVE -- IN HIS WORDS -- "FULL SUPPORT ON THE AGNI MISSILES."
THE STATEMENT APPEARS TO CONTRADICT AN EARLIER REPORT BY THE DEFENSE MINISTRY, WHICH SAID THE AGNI PROJECT HAD BEEN SHELVED.
THE MISSILE HAS NOT BEEN TEST FIRED SINCE 1994. A DEFENSE MINISTRY REPORT, ISSUED IN DECEMBER, SAID THERE WERE NO PLANS TO PRODUCE THE AGNI, UNLESS INDIA'S SECURITY IS THREATENED.
THE UNITED STATES HAS LED WESTERN OPPOSITION TO INDIA'S MISSILE PROGRAM, BECAUSE OF FEARS IT WILL SPARK A REGIONAL ARMS RACE WITH PAKISTAN. (SIGNED).
NEB / MWD / WD / WD
04-Mar-97 7:59 AM EST (1259 UTC)
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