DATE=5/27/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232851
TITLE=PAK NUKE (L)
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CHAIRMAN OF PAKISTAN'S SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN
AFFAIRS -- AKRAM ZAKI -- SAYS ISLAMABAD MUST TEST A NUCLEAR
DEVICE TO RESTORE THE MILITARY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BALANCE IN SOUTH
ASIA. THE REMARKS CAME IN AN INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A, ONE DAY
BEFORE SENATOR ZAKI LEAVES FOR THE UNITED STATES FOR MEETINGS
WITH CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE U-S
CONGRESS. V-O-A ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL HAS
DETAILS.
TEXT: PAKISTAN SENATOR AKRAM ZAKI SAYS IT IS NECESSARY FOR
PAKISTAN'S SURVIVAL TO DEMONSTRATE ITS NUCLEAR CAPABILITY. HE
SAYS RESPONDING TO INDIA'S NUCLEAR TESTS WILL HELP RESTORE A
MILITARY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BALANCE IN THE REGION.
// ZAKI ACT //
IF YOU SEE THE HISTORY OF THE FIVE DECLARED NUCLEAR
POWERS -- HOW EACH ONE HAS FOLLOWED THE OTHER. IF THE
NUMBER IS GOING TO BE MORE THAN FIVE AND IF THE FIVE DO
NOT DO ANYTHING TO DENUCLEARIZE INDIA, THEN I THINK THE
TEST IS INEVITABLE.
// END ACT //
SENATOR ZAKI SAYS INDIA'S NUCLEAR TESTS HAVE LEFT PAKISTAN WITH
NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO TEST ITS OWN NUCLEAR DEVICE.
// ZAKI ACT //
INDIA HAS NOW TESTED FIVE TIMES AND DECIDED TO WEAPONIZE
ITS ARMED FORCES. UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES -- WHEN
INDIA HAS DONE IT AS A MATTER OF PRESTIGE AND STATUS AND
HAS CHANGED ITS POLITICAL LANGUAGE INTO THREATS --
PAKISTAN HAS NO OPTION. IT IS A NECESSITY OF
PAKISTAN'S SURVIVAL.
// END ACT //
THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES ARE URGING PAKISTAN NOT
TO TEST A NUCLEAR DEVICE. U-S OFFICIALS FEAR MORE TESTS COULD
LEAD TO A NUCLEAR ARMS RACE IN SOUTH ASIA.
SENATOR ZAKI SAYS -- HOWEVER -- THAT PRESSURE IS VERY STRONG FROM
INSIDE PAKISTAN TO CONDUCT SUCH A TEST.
// ZAKI ACT //
PEOPLE WANT NUCLEAR TESTS. PEOPLE WANT PAKISTAN TO
DEMONSTRATE ITS NUCLEAR CAPABILITY. I ADMIRE THE PRIME
MINISTER -- THAT HE HAS SO FAR ACTED WITH SO MUCH
PATIENCE AND IS CONSIDERING ALL ASPECTS. BUT I THINK
THE PRESSURES WILL GROW WITH EVERY PASSING DAY.
// END ACT //
SENATOR ZAKI IS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE THURSDAY FOR A TRIP TO THE
UNITED STATES FOR MEETINGS WITH CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS
AND MEMBERS OF THE U-S CONGRESS.
HE IS LEADING A DELEGATION APPOINTED BY PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ
SHARIF TO EXPLAIN PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR POLICY TO U-S OFFICIALS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/MB/LTD/MMK
27-May-98 9:24 AM EDT (1324 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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