DATE=5/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232943
TITLE=PAKISTAN NUKE / U-N REACT (L)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE U-N SECURITY
COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) DENOUNCED PAKISTAN FOR ITS LATEST
NUCLEAR TESTS. U-N OFFICIALS ARE CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE TALKS
BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND INDIA AIMED AT PREVENTING A FURTHER
ESCALATION OF REGIONAL TENSION. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM
THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN WAS CAREFUL TO DENOUNCE BOTH
PAKISTAN AND INDIA FOR CARRYING OUT NUCLEAR TESTS. HE CALLED ON
THE TWO NATIONS TO IMMEDIATELY FREEZE THEIR NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PROGRAMS AND TO SIGN THE COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY.
MR. ANNAN'S AIDES SAY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL IS PARTICULARLY
CONCERNED THAT TENSION SURROUNDING THE DISPUTED REGION OF KASHMIR
COULD LEAD TO A FURTHER DETERIORATION OF SECURITY CONDITIONS
BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN. THEY SAY MR. ANNAN IS URGING THE TWO
SIDES TO RESUME A DIALOGUE ON THAT ISSUE. MR. ANNAN IS OFFERING
TO HELP MEDIATE THE DISPUTE.
SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT NJUGUNA MAHUGU OF KENYA SAID MEMBERS
OF THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED THE SITUATION IN SOUTH ASIA AND STRONGLY
DEPLORED PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR TESTS.
U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS BILL RICHARDSON DESCRIBED
THE TESTS AS A HUGE MISTAKE.
/// RICHARDSON ACT ///
THIS IS A VERY TENSE SITUATION. WE DEPLORE THE ACTION
BY PAKISTAN. WE THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT A NEW
ARMS RACE IN SOUTH ASIA NOT CONTINUE. AND THERE IS
TENSION AND WE URGE RESTRAINT ON ALL SIDES.
/// END ACT ///
MR. RICHARDSON SAID THE UNITED STATES TRIED TO DISSUADE PAKISTAN
FROM CARRYING OUT THE TESTS AFTER U-S INTELLIGENCE SERVICES
REPORTED THAT PREPARATIONS FOR THE TESTS WERE UNDERWAY.
RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS SERGEY LAVROV SAID
PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR BLASTS WERE CLEARLY A RESPONSE TO INDIA'S
TESTS TWO WEEKS AGO. BUT, HE SAID THAT IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR
CARRYING THEM OUT.
/// LAVROV ACT ///
IT WAS A VERY DEPLORABLE ACT AND WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT
PAKISTAN SHOULD BE ACTING ON THE BASIS OF THE
TIT-FOR-TAT PRINCIPLE IN RESPONSE TO INDIAN TESTING.
/// END ACT ///
DIPLOMATS SAY OF THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY
COUNCIL, CHINA HAS BEEN MOST RELUCTANT TO CRITICIZE PAKISTAN'S
DECISION. THEY SAY CHINESE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE UNITED NATIONS
FEEL INDIA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCREASE IN TENSION
BECAUSE IT CARRIED OUT THE FIRST ROUND OF TESTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/JO
28-May-98 2:58 PM EDT (1858 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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