07 April 1998
[EXCERPT] TRANSCRIPT: STATE DEPT. NOON BRIEFING, APRIL 6, 1998
DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFF-CAMERA BRIEFING INDEX Monday, April 6, 1998 Briefer: James B. Foley PAKISTAN 9 US Regrets Pakistan Ghauri Missile Test, Calls for Restraint by Pakistan & India 9-10 US Supports Renewed Dialogue Between Pakistan and India 9-10 No US Advance Notification by GOP of Missile Test; Origin of Technology of Missile Tested 10-11 USUN Ambassador Richardson Travels to Region ............. Q: Pakistan claims that it successfully tested a 925-mile range missile, which a quick look at the map would indicate it hit most of India. Any comment on unsettling aspect of the India-Pakistan arms race? FOLEY: Yes, well, the United States regrets this missile test, and calls on both Pakistan and India to exercise restraint. You're right that Pakistan's Foreign Ministry today announced that it successfully flight-tested what I'm told is a 1500-range kilometer missile, known as the Ghauri. Q: Well, that would be 900 miles. FOLEY: Yes. Our information indicates that a ballistic missile flight test did occur in Pakistan today. In terms of the issue of regional stability, the United States has long believed that the development or acquisition of ballistic missiles by Pakistan or by India would be destabilizing and undermine the security of both countries. At this juncture with the new Indian Government assuming power and renewed hopes that India and Pakistan can enter into a productive bilateral dialogue, we believe it is especially important to avoid steps in the nuclear missile areas that could be seen as provocative and could adversely affect the political and security environment in the region. Both Pakistan and India are fully aware of our position on the importance of restraint in nuclear and missile programs. Q: Was the United States given advance warning of this test? FOLEY: Not to my knowledge. Q: Were you aware of it in any imminent sense, and did you seek to -- I mean, you have a long-standing of policy of trying to keep them from doing this, but I mean, was there any last-minute intervention to try to keep this from happening that you know of? FOLEY: I'm not aware of that. If the question in any way veered into matters of what we know and don't know by various means, I can't, from the podium, comment on that. But I'm not aware that there was any demarche of the type you ask about. Q: You're not aware of anything like that? FOLEY: No, I'm not. Q: And do you put any blame for this on the policy statement of the new Indian Government, relating to its induction, I believe was the word, of nuclear weapons into their -- FOLEY: Well, as a general -- I would not ascribe a specific explanation of the type that you're talking about. But as a general matter, though, the United States believes that it's the problem of the long-standing tensions and suspicions that have long existed between India and Pakistan that strongly influence both countries' decision-making on what they see as issues of vital national security interests. So it's those perceptions, I think, which are the underlying factors here. The US welcomed the decision last year by the leaders of both countries to resume discussions, to reduce tensions and make progress towards resolving long-term disputes. We applaud their recent re-commitment to pursue this dialogue. We think that the open discussion of security concerns is of particular importance to a successful dialogue. Q: Do you know the history of that weapon? Is that made from the Chinese technology that the United States detected? FOLEY: I don't have that particular information; not to my knowledge. I have something for you on that, if you'll bear with me one second. Pakistan is known to have a ballistic missile program, and has sought missile technology and equipment for its ballistic missiles from a number of foreign suppliers. We have observed in the past that China has provided assistance to Pakistan's ballistic missile efforts. However, Pakistan has sought missile-related assistance from a number of suppliers, and it should not be assumed in this case that China was the supplier. We are now, of course, examining this matter. Q: But you don't know? FOLEY: No -- well, again, I stand by what I said, though, that we should not assume that China was the supplier in this case. Q: Would that be a -- the size and distance that missile can travel in this test, did that capability come as any surprise to the United States? FOLEY: You know, before answering something both sensitive and technical, I'd rather check with our experts. My understanding is, probably not. Q: Is this going to affect -- Pickering's supposed to be going out to the region, right? FOLEY: Yes. Q: Is this going to affect his trip in any way? FOLEY: Well insofar as I just restated our overall position, which is that the two countries tend to make decisions on the basis of worse case assumptions and suspicions about each other, we've made an appeal today from this podium for both sides to follow through on their recommitment to dialogue and to include security matters in the dialogue. You can be certain that Ambassador Pickering will be raising that in both capitals. Q: Are you calling the ambassadors of either or both countries in to talk to them about that? FOLEY: I'm not aware we're going to be doing that. But on the other hand, Ambassador Pickering, who is the de facto number three man in the State Department will be out there this week, and you can be sure it's something he'll be discussing. Q: Do you know when he's due in New Delhi and Islamabad? FOLEY: I think he was in California yesterday, and was flying out this morning to the region. Do we have that? No. I better check the record, because he may actually have another destination. I need to confirm that. Lee, do you have anything on this travel? I could be wrong on the dates of this travel. We'll check that for you. Q: My memory may be faulty, but I believe in the initial announcement that you all distributed of his trip, it only said he was going to Japan, South Korea and China. FOLEY: Yes, in the middle of speaking in the last minute, I realized that I had been misspeaking. It's Ambassador Richardson and Assistant Secretary Inderfurth will be traveling to the Subcontinent in the days to come. Those are the officials who will be there and will be discussing this important subject, among others. Ambassador Pickering is going to Asia, you're right. ........ (end transcript)
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