DATE=6/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233698
TITLE=U-N / INDIA - PAKISTAN (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS CONSIDERING SENDING A SPECIAL ENVOY
TO PAKISTAN AND INDIA TO HELP EASE TENSION BETWEEN THOSE
COUNTRIES FOLLOWING THEIR NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTS LAST MONTH.
V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.
TEXT: REPORTS FROM PAKISTAN SAY U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN
CALLED PAKISTANI PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF THIS WEEK TO PROPOSE
THE VISIT OF A SPECIAL U-N ENVOY TO THE REGION. UNITED NATIONS
OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK SAY THEY CANNOT CONFIRM OR DENY THE REPORT.
THEY SAY IT IS PREMATURE TO REPORT AN ENVOY WILL TRAVEL TO THE
AREA. BUT THEY SAY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL STANDS READY TO DO
WHATEVER HE CAN TO PROMOTE DIALOG BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.
SOURCES SAY MR. ANNAN IS EAGER TO HELP EASE TENSION IN THE
REGION, BUT IS RELUCTANT TO SEND AN ENVOY UNTIL BOTH INDIA AND
PAKISTAN AGREE TO U-N INVOLVEMENT. U-N OFFICIALS INDICATE IT IS
NOT CLEAR WHAT INDIA'S RESPONSE IS TO THE IDEA OF A SPECIAL
ENVOY.
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS REPEATEDLY DENOUNCED THE NUCLEAR
TESTS CARRIED OUT BY INDIA AND PAKISTAN LAST MONTH. IT HAS URGED
THE TWO COUNTRIES TO HOLD TALKS AIMED AT RESOLVING OUTSTANDING
ISSUES, PARTICULARLY THEIR TERRITORIAL DISPUTE OVER KASHMIR.
U-N OFFICIALS DO NOT RULE THE POSSIBILITY OF MR. ANNAN EVENTUALLY
TRAVELLING TO THE REGION, IF HE FEELS HIS PRESENCE WOULD
CONTRIBUTE TO MEDIATION. BUT THEY INDICATE IT IS UNLIKELY SUCH A
TRIP WOULD TAKE PLACE SOON. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
11-Jun-98 3:56 AM EDT (0756 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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