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Title:  "Clinton Calls for Nuclear Non-Proliferation in Pakistan." President Clinton's remarks with Pakistani Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi at Lodhi's White House credentials presentation ceremony. (940214)

Date:  19940214

Text:
*NEA106

02/14/94 *

CLINTON CALLS FOR NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION IN PAKISTAN (Text: Clinton remarks at credentials ceremony) (950) Washington -- President Clinton February 14 welcomed Pakistan's new ambassador to the United States, Maleeha Lodhi, to Washington and called for her cooperation in nonproliferation efforts in South Asia.

"As the Ambassador of Pakistan in Washington, I ask that you work constructively with us to cap such weapons programs, and then to reduce and eliminate weapons of mass destruction from South Asia," Clinton said, as he received the new ambassador's letters of credence.

The following is the text of President Clinton's remarks: (BEGIN TEXT) Madam Ambassador: I am extremely pleased to accept your Letter of Credence as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United States; I acknowledge the Letter of Recall of your predecessor, Ambassador Muhammad Akram Zaki. I gladly acknowledge the greetings of President Leghari, and Prime Minister Bhutto. Please assure them of my highest regard and that I look forward to the occasion when I can accept their generous offer to visit Pakistan.

Madam Ambassador, on behalf of the American people, let me welcome you to the United States. I am sure you will soon feel at home here. You will find that Americans cherish and uphold the firm conviction that power should reside in the hands of the people and that the government is the servant of the people. Pakistan's recent elections were also a manifestation of this democratic spirit, and I congratulate all who participated.

The United States and Pakistan have a long and rich tradition of friendship and cooperation. The United States looks forward to reinforcing these ties as both countries cope with the challenges of the post-Cold War world. In Somalia, we have already begun to establish new patterns of productive cooperation. There, American and Pakistani soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder in a noble effort to bring peace and humanitarian relief to the people of Somalia. The American people recognize that your brave soldiers have carried a large share of the burden, and thus appreciate deeply Pakistan's contribution to this operation.

One of the most urgent priorities of the United States is to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction -- nuclear, chemical and biological weapons -- and the ballistic missiles that can target them on populations hundreds of miles away. This is not an academic problem. In South Asia, India and Pakistan are engaged in programs to acquire, either indigenously or with foreign support, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile delivery systems. Continuing tensions between Pakistan and India, combined with these ongoing programs, create the potential of a nuclear exchange with devastating consequences for the region and the world at large. As the Ambassador of Pakistan in Washington, I ask that you work constructively with us to cap such weapons programs, and then to reduce and eliminate weapons of mass destruction from South Asia.

The United States has a strong interest in reducing tensions in South Asia and especially encouraging productive relations between Pakistan and India. The resumption of foreign secretary level talks between Pakistan and India is an important step to address outstanding issues, including Kashmir and the control and elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Regular foreign secretary level talks could also be a forum where Pakistan and India manage to defuse the tensions that will arise between them. These talks and other forms of dialogue between Pakistan and India should be nurtured and protected from swings in public opinion so that they become a positive feature in Indo-Pakistani relations.

Our two countries are afflicted by the scourge of drug addiction, which holds hostage the future of millions of Pakistanis and Americans. We have worked together for a number of years to combat the trafficking of heroin. However, nothing is more frustrating than witnessing the persistence of this evil plague and its spread to neighboring Afghanistan. We hope that Pakistan will enact and enforce tough laws to fight the drug trade more vigorously, and that you, as Ambassador will encourage enhanced cooperation between the enforcement agencies of our two governments.

The recent economic reforms adopted by your government strengthened the economy in the short term and are essential to Pakistan's long-term growth and development. A vibrant and robust Pakistani economy will lead to enhanced economic ties between our two countries. The bilateral textile agreement concluded in January will also contribute to trade between the United States and Pakistan. We hope that Pakistan will further open its market to exports from the United States, as part of the global liberalization of trade.

Increasing respect for human rights around the world is a pillar of U.S. foreign policy. We share Pakistan's concerns about human rights abuses in Kashmir. We also oppose infringements of individual human rights as a result of extremism and fanaticism, whether of a religious or secular nature, wherever it occurs.

The renewed fighting in Afghanistan has resulted in thousands of casualties and rendered tens of thousands homeless. While civil war continues to ravage Afghanistan, we trust that, as it has in the past, Pakistan will provide succor to the victims of this tragic conflict. For its part, the United States will do all that it can, working through the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, to provide relief and assistance to the Afghan people.

I welcome your desire to improve our relations by building on the shared values and goals of our two countries. I wish you success in your mission and I assure you of the full cooperation of my Administration. Together we can further strengthen the long-standing friendship between the United States and Pakistan.

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