ACCESSION NUMBER:362590
FILE ID:POL503
DATE:09/30/94
TITLE:SOUTH ASIA WARNED AGAINST DANGERS OF NUCLEAR, MISSILE RACES (09/30/94)
TEXT:*94093003.POL
SOUTH ASIA WARNED AGAINST DANGERS OF NUCLEAR, MISSILE RACES
(Christopher highlights SAARC's economic development) (480)
By Russell Dybvik
USIA Diplomatic Correspondent
New York -- Emphasizing the role that regional organizations play in
reducing tensions and promoting economic development, Secretary of State
Christopher warned Pakistan and India September 29 against the dangers of a
nuclear arms or missile race in South Asia.
"We hope that India and Pakistan will engage in direct discussions on
nuclear and missile non-proliferation," Christopher said while hosting a
meeting with leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC).
"We believe that regional organizations are especially well attuned to help
to reduce tensions, to bolster stability, and to promote constructive
relations within your region," the secretary told his audience of senior
officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka.
He cited the return to democracy in Bangladesh and the transition to
democracy in Nepal, noting they have touched more people than the return of
democracy to Eastern Europe although the latter is much more talked about.
The secretary said the Clinton administration is committed to strengthening
its partnership with South Asia, an area he described as one of intense
economic growth and development. U.S. investment in India has increased
more in the past year than in the preceding four decades of Indian
independence, he said, and Pakistan, too, has undertaken a long-term
economic reform program.
"We all know that sustained development cannot take place unless there are
stable foundations of peace," Christopher pointed out, calling for
redoubled efforts to tackle longstanding differences between the two
countries.
"America will work with you in dealing with the critical issues of the
deployment of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles," he said.
"The fact is that a nuclear arms race or a missile race in South Asia would
jeopardize not just stability in your region, but could affect nuclear
proliferation all over the globe," the secretary said. "So we share a
responsibility to address together these problems of nuclear expansion."
He said the United States is committed to working with India and Pakistan on
a comprehensive test ban and a fissile materials cutoff. "Meeting
challenges like these will require a lot of resolve and a lot of
determination on the part of your nations and your people," Christopher
said, pledging to work with both nations to build a relationship that is
constructive, balanced and mutually beneficial.
He told Foreign Minister Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh that his country
"has eloquently demonstrated its commitment to democracy" by joining the
coalition of multinational forces that is engaged in returning democracy to
Haiti.
1For years you have demonstrated that you have a global view toward
peacekeeping," Christopher said. "You and other South Asian states have
been among the major contributors to U.N. peacekeeping forces around the
world."
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