DATE=5/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232096
TITLE=SENATE-INDIA (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: INDIA'S UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR TESTS HAVE TOUCHED OFF AN
ANGRY RESPONSE IN WASHINGTON, RAISING THE PROSPECT OF TOUGH
SANCTIONS AGAINST THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN
REPORTS, SOME OF THE OUTRAGE IS AIMED AT THE U-S INTELLIGENCE
COMMUNITY, WHICH APPARENTLY FAILED TO GIVE WARNING OF THE BLASTS.
TEXT: REPUBLICAN SENATOR RICHARD SHELBY, WHO CHAIRS THE SENATE
INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE, SAYS THE NATION'S HUMAN AND ELECTRONIC
SPIES WERE CAUGHT COMPLETELY OFF GUARD. HE CHARGES THEY FAILED
TO PICK UP SIGNS OF INDIA'S TEST PREPARATIONS, IN WHAT MAY BE THE
BIGGEST INTELLIGENCE BREAKDOWN OF THE DECADE.
/// SHELBY ACT ///
THE FAILURE OF OUR INTELLIGENCE-GATHERING CAPABILITY
DEALING WITH THE THREE DETONATIONS OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN
INDIA WAS A COLOSSAL FAILURE ON THE PART OF OUR
INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES. MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT. THIS
IS A HUGE ITEM.
/// END ACT ///
THE C-I-A HAD NO IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE ACCUSATIONS. MR.
SHELBY HAS CALLED THE AGENCY'S DIRECTOR (GEORGE TENET) AND OTHER
OFFICIALS TO A CLOSED HEARING THURSDAY.
MEANWHILE, OTHER SENATORS ARE URGING PRESIDENT CLINTON TO SLAP
SANCTIONS ON INDIA, AS U-S LAW DEMANDS IN SUCH CASES. THIS COULD
INCLUDE A CUT-OFF IN MILITARY AID AND A HALT TO CREDITS OR LOAN
GUARANTEES. DEMOCRAT JOSEPH BIDEN SAYS MR. CLINTON HAS NO
CHOICE.
/// BIDEN ACT ///
THERE'S NO OPTION UNDER THE LAW BUT TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS
IN MY VIEW. AND I THINK AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, HOW DO
WE DISSUADE PAKISTAN FROM ENGAGING IN SIMILAR CONDUCT,
OR ANYONE ELSE IN THE REGION, UNLESS WE IMPOSE
SANCTIONS?
/// END ACT ///
MR. BIDEN PREDICTS THE TESTS WILL GIVE NEW MOMENTUM TO THE GLOBAL
NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY. HOWEVER, REPUBLICANS SAY THE INCIDENT
PROVES A DIFFERENT POINT - THE NEED FOR A NATIONWIDE MISSILE
DEFENSE NETWORK. MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT ARGUES THE UNITED
STATES IS EXPOSED TO MISSILE ATTACKS.
/// LOTT ACT ///
ITS STILL A VERY DANGEROUS WORLD. THE UNITED STATES
DOES NOT HAVE AN ADEQUATE NATIONAL DEFENSE.
/// END ACT ///
THE SENATE VOTES WEDNESDAY ON A MISSILE DEFENSE BILL. THE
LAWMAKERS' ANGER AND DISMAY ABOUT THE TESTS MAY CONTINUE LONG
AFTER THAT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/WDC/JO
12-May-98 4:36 PM EDT (2036 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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