DATE=5/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232336
TITLE=INDIA / NUCLEAR (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: INDIANS ARE CELEBRATING THEIR NUCLEAR TESTS DESPITE
INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION. THIS, AMID SIGNS THAT MORE COUNTRIES
WILL NOT JOIN THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND SOME OTHER NATIONS
IN IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON NEW DELHI. ANJANA PASRICHA HAS A REPORT
FROM THE INDIAN CAPITAL.
TEXT: AN INDIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL SAID SATURDAY NEW
DELHI WAS RELIEVED THAT THERE WAS NO MENTION OF SANCTIONS IN A
STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE GROUP OF EIGHT INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES ON
INDIA'S NUCLEAR TESTS. THE OFFICIAL ASKED NOT TO BE
IDENTIFIED.
NEW DELHI HAS BEEN PUBLICLY PLAYING DOWN THE COST OF SANCTIONS,
SAYING IT DOES NOT EXPECT THE PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THE UNITED
STATES, JAPAN AND SOME OTHER COUNTRIES TO HURT ECONOMIC GROWTH.
BUT OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY WATCHING TO SEE IF OTHER
NATIONS FOLLOW THE UNITED STATES IN IMPOSING SANCTIONS --
PARTICULARLY THE GROUP OF INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS -- WHOSE LEADERS
ARE MEETING IN ENGLAND THIS WEEKEND.
THE STATEMENT BY THE GROUP HAS CONDEMNED THE BLASTS AND EXPRESSED
GRAVE CONCERN -- BUT DOES NOT ENDORSE SANCTIONS.
INDIAN OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THAT THE ECONOMY WILL LOSE ABOUT
ONE-BILLION-DOLLARS IF NO OTHER COUNTRIES IMPOSE SANCTIONS OR
CANCEL AID. B UT ANALYSTS PREDICT IT COULD BE MUCH HIGHER.
// OPT // THE IMPACT OF THE SANCTIONS IS STILL NOT CLEAR. THE
RUPEE FELL THIS WEEK BECAUSE OF FEARS INDIA COULD LOSE BILLIONS
OF DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL INVESTMENT AND FOREIGN AID. BUT AT THE
SAME TIME, INDIA'S STOCK MARKETS REMAINED BUOYANT IN THE BELIEF
THAT SANCTIONS WILL NOT BE DAMAGING., // END OPT //
MEANWHILE THE BHARATIYA-JANATA-PARTY OBSERVED SATURDAY AS A "DAY
OF PRIDE" TO CELEBRATE INDIA'S NUCLEAR TESTS. ACROSS THE NATION,
PARTY ACTIVISTS SET-OFF FIRECRACKERS AND DISTRIBUTED SWEETS,
CALLING THE DAY A VICTORY DEMONSTRATION FOR THE NATION'S "MOMENT
OF GLORY."
/// REST OPT ///
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED STRONG DOMESTIC BACKING FOR THE
NUCLEAR TESTS. PEOPLE ARE HAILING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE
NATION'S SCIENTISTS AND PRAISING THE GOVERNMENT FOR STANDING UP
TO INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION IN CONDUCTING THE TESTS.
BUT NEW DELHI ALSO WITNESSED AN ANTI-NUCLEAR PROTEST ON SATURDAY
AS A GROUP OF ABOUT 300 PEOPLE MARCHED THROUGH THE CAPITAL'S
STREETS. THE PROTESTORS, BELONGING TO ABOUT 30 NON-GOVENMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS, SAID THEY WANTED "BREAD, NOT BOMBS, HOMES NOT
TOMBS." (SIGNED)
NEB/AP/JO
16-May-98 9:43 AM EDT (1343 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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