DATE=7/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235397
TITLE=U-S / SOUTH ASIA SANCTIONS (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SEEKING THE POWER TO EASE
THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON INDIA AND PAKISTAN AFTER THOSE COUNTRIES
TESTED NUCLEAR WEAPONS. STILL, OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE NOT
PREPARED TO ACTUALLY USE THAT POWER JUST YET. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN
HAS DETAILS.
TEXT: IN A SENATE HEARING (MONDAY) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE
KARL INDERFURTH ASKED FOR AUTHORITY TO LIFT ALL SANCTIONS ON THE
TWO SOUTH ASIAN RIVALS. THIS INCLUDES NOT ONLY THE PENALTIES
TAKING EFFECT AFTER MAY'S EXPLOSIONS BUT THE PREVIOUS BAN ON
MILITARY AID TO PAKISTAN.
MR. INDERFURTH REPEATEDLY VOICED CONCERN ABOUT THAT COUNTRY'S
ECONOMIC CRISIS, AND HE SAID THE UNITED STATES MUST BE ABLE TO
RE-ENGAGE BOTH SIDES.
/// INDERFURTH ACT ///
IT IS CLEAR THAT WE WILL NEED GREATER FLEXIBILITY THAN
THE LAW CURRENTLY ALLOWS TO TAILOR OUR APPROACH,
INFLUENCE EVENTS AND RESPOND TO DEVELOPMENTS. IN THIS
REGARD, MR. CHAIRMAN, WE SEEK WAIVER AUTHORITY FOR ALL
OF THE SANCTIONS CURRENTLY IN PLACE AGAINST INDIA AND
PAKISTAN.
/// END ACT ///
AT THE SAME TIME, MR. INDERFURTH STRESSED AN END TO THE SANCTIONS
IS NOT IN SIGHT. THE ADMINISTRATION IS PRESSING BOTH NATIONS TO
HALT NUCLEAR TESTING, NOT DEPLOY ANY WEAPONS AND IMMEDIATELY SIGN
THE WORLDWIDE TEST BAN TREATY.
MR. INDERFURTH CALLED FOR SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS ON THESE AND OTHER
ISSUES BEFORE THE SANCTIONS WOULD EASE. HE ALSO SAYS PRESIDENT
CLINTON WILL NOT VISIT THE REGION, AS PLANNED, UNLESS THERE IS
SOME MOVEMENT.
/// INDERFURTH ACT ///
WE'VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WHILE THE PRESIDENT WAS GREATLY
LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS VISIT TO SOUTH ASIA IN NOVEMBER
THAT UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT VISIT WILL BE ON
HOLD UNTIL WE SEE PROGRESS IN THE DIRECTION THAT WE'RE
DISCUSSING.
/// END ACT ///
THE SENATE HAS VOTED TO EASE ONE SANCTION BY LIFTING A BAN ON
FARM EXPORTS, ALTHOUGH THE HOUSE (OF REPRESENTATIVES) HAS YET TO
FOLLOW SUIT. A NUMBER OF SENATORS FAVOR GIVING THE WHITE HOUSE
THE BROAD WAIVER AUTHORITY IT WANTS. LAWMAKERS PLAN TO TAKE UP
THAT ISSUE AGAIN AS EARLY AS THIS WEEK. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/WDC/WFR
13-Jul-98 5:24 PM EDT (2124 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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