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DATE=5/27/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232875
TITLE=U-S / PAKISTAN NUKE (L)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:   THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT IS CONTINUING EFFORTS
TO PERSUADE PAKISTAN NOT TO TEST A NUCLEAR DEVICE TO COUNTER 
INDIA'S TEST SERIES.   V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE 
WHITE HOUSE.
TEXT:    WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS SAY THEY AGREE WITH ASSESSMENTS 
PAKISTAN IS CAPABLE OF TESTING AT ANY TIME BUT SAY THEY ARE STILL
TRYING TO TALK ISLAMABAD OUT OF THE IDEA.
SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON IS NOT RESIGNED TO 
THE INEVITABILITY OF A PAKISTANI TEST, AND THAT U-S OFFICIALS ARE
STILL WORKING HARD TO MAKE A CASE WHY SUCH ACTION IS NOT IN THAT 
COUNTRY'S BEST INTERESTS. 
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS WARNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A TEST, IT 
WOULD BE FORCED TO IMPOSE AGAINST PAKISTAN THE SAME ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS NOW IN PLACE AGAINST INDIA. 
IT HAS ALSO BEEN EXPLORING WAYS TO REWARD PAKISTAN FOR RESTRAINT 
-- INCLUDING DISCUSSIONS WITH CONGRESS ON EASING RESTRICTIONS ON 
AID TO PAKISTAN UNDER ANTI-PROLIFERATION LAWS. MR. MCCURRY SAYS A
NO-TEST PLEDGE BY PAKISTAN WOULD BE A MAJOR BOOST THOSE EFFORTS:
                     ///MCCURRY ACTUALITY///
            A CONSCIOUS DECISION BY PAKISTAN NOT TO TEST  WOULD 
            PRODUCE A VERY FAVORABLE -- MUCH MORE FAVORABLE -- 
            ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF RELAXATION OF 
            THE PRESSLER AMENDMENT, THE SYMINGTON AMENDMENT, AND 
            OTHER ISSUES WITH RESPECT TO OUR BILATERAL 
            RELATIONSHIP. THAT'S NOT TO SAY IT WOULD BE A 
            DONE-DEAL. BUT OUR CONSULTATIONS INDICATE IT WOULD 
            CERTAINLY WOULD IMPROVE THE CLIMATE FOR  
            CONSIDERATION.
                          ///END ACT///
PRESIDENT CLINTON CONFERRED WITH HIS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISERS 
ON  THE ISSUE WEDNESDAY AND SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAID THERE HAVE 
BEEN FREQUENT DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS WITH PAKISTANI OFFICIALS IN THE
PAST FEW DAYS.
SENIOR CLINTON AIDES WILL ALSO CONFER NEXT WEEK WITH A VISITING 
PAKISTANI LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION HEADED BY SENATOR AKRAM ZAKI, A 
CLOSE ASSOCIATE OF PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PT
27-May-98 3:38 PM EDT (1938 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.