DATE=6/29/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-234706
TITLE=INDIA SANCTIONS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: INDIAN POLITICAL ANALYSTS ARE DESCRIBING AS A POSITIVE
GESTURE SUNDAY'S VISIT BY TWO U-S SENATORS, AHEAD OF A SENATE
REVIEW OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON NEW DELHI FOR ITS NUCLEAR
TESTS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS FROM THE
INDIAN CAPITAL.
TEXT: POLITICAL ANALYSTS IN INDIA HAVE WELCOMED THE ONE-DAY
FACT-FINDING TOUR BY SENATORS SAM BROWNBACK AND CHARLES ROBB TO
GAUGE INDIA'S VIEWS ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND RELATED MATTERS.
THE SENATORS SPOKE WITH SENIOR INDIAN LEADERS, INCLUDING PRIME
MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE, AND AFTERWARDS SAID THE IMMEDIATE
CHALLENGE TO THE UNITED STATES IS TO DEAL WITH THE SANCTIONS
ISSUE.
FORMER INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY J-N DIXIT SAYS THE VISIT IS A
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
/// DIXIT ACT ///
IT SHOWS THAT THE U-S LEGISLATURE, SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE
UPPER HOUSE ESPECIALLY, WANT TO UNDERSTAND INDIAN
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CORRECT PERSPECTIVE. THAT THEY TOOK
THE TROUBLE TO COME HERE AND TO MEET OUR DEFENSE
MINISTER, PRIME MINISTER AND OTHER LEADERS, SHOWS THAT
REGARDLESS OF THE, WHAT YOU CALL THE FORMAL DYNAMICS OF
BILATERAL RELATIONS, THERE IS A DEEP UNDERCURRENT OF
CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT (POSITIVE DIPLOMACY).
/// END ACT ///
MR. DIXIT SAYS HE HOPES THE MEETINGS CONVINCED THE SENATORS THAT
INDIA IS A RESPONSIBLE AND DISCIPLINED COUNTRY, WHICH REMAINS
COMMITTED TO ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT.
WASHINGTON IMPOSED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON INDIA AND PAKISTAN AFTER
THEY CONDUCTED NUCLEAR TESTS IN MAY. A SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL
TASK FORCE HAS BEEN FORMED TO EXAMINE U-S SANCTIONS POLICY, AND
CONGRESS IS TO CONSIDER THE ISSUE IN JULY.
AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESS GROUPS HAVE BEEN PRESSURING THE U-S
CONGRESS AND THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO CUT BACK THE USE OF
SANCTIONS, SAYING THEY DO NOT WORK, AND ONLY MAKE IT EASIER FOR
COMPETITORS FROM EUROPE AND JAPAN TO DO BUSINESS.
SUBHASH KASHYAP, OF NEW DELHI'S CENTER FOR POLICY RESEARCH, SAYS
A CHANGE IN U-S POLICY WOULD BENEFIT BOTH NEW DELHI AND
WASHINGTON.
/// KASHYAP ACT ///
I BELIEVE THAT SOME RE-THINK IS GOING ON EVEN IN THE
UNITED STATES BECAUSE THESE SANCTIONS IS (ARE) A
DOUBLE-EDGED WEAPON. IT HARMS BOTH. IT WOULD HARM THE
U-S BUSINESS INTERESTS AND IT WOULD HARM THE INDIAN
INTERESTS. SO THE RE-THINKING WOULD PERHAPS RESULT IN
SOME MODERATION WHICH WOULD BE TO THE ADVANTAGE OF BOTH
COUNTRIES.
/// END ACT ///
IN THE LONG TERM, MR. KASHYAP SAYS, HE BELIEVES IT IS NOT IN
WASHINGTON'S INTEREST -- ECONOMICALLY OR POLITICALLY -- TO TAKE A
HARD LINE ON SANCTIONS WITH INDIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAB/WTW
29-Jun-98 6:02 AM EDT (1002 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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