02 June 1998
TEXT: AMB. GREY 6/2 STATEMENT ON INDIA, PAKISTAN NUCLEAR TESTS
(Urges circulation of Clinton's remarks as official CD document) (970) Geneva -- Ambassador Robert Grey, U.S. Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, on June 2 addressed the "serious international security situation created by India's series of nuclear weapons tests, followed by Pakistan's series of nuclear weapon tests" in a statement to the CD. The ambassador recalled his statement of May 13 regarding India's nuclear tests and read for the record President Clinton's May 28 and 30 remarks, in which the President urged both India and Pakistan to "renounce further nuclear and missile testing immediately and take decisive steps to reverse this dangerous arms race." Saying "these statements speak for themselves," Ambassador Grey asked that the texts of President Clinton's remarks and the Presidential Determination issued May 30 regarding sanctions against Pakistan be circulated together as an official CD Document. Following is the text of Ambassador Grey's statement, as prepared for delivery: (Begin text) Statement by Ambassador Robert Grey U.S. Representative to the Conference on Disarmament to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva 2 June 1998 (As prepared for delivery) Mr. President, I am pleased to see you, the representative of our close ally, Turkey, in the chair. I offer you the full support of my delegation during your Presidency. Mr. President, I have asked for the floor today to address the serious international security situation created by India's series of nuclear weapons tests, followed by Pakistan's series of nuclear weapon tests. In that context, I recall my statement of May 13 regarding India's nuclear tests and President Clinton's remarks, contained in CD Document 1505. My delegation also associates itself with the remarks made today by the distinguished representative of New Zealand on behalf of a number of States. Mr. President, President Clinton has addressed the subject of nuclear testing by Pakistan on two occasions, correlating with each of the series of nuclear tests by Pakistan. I would like to read for the record his remarks. On May 28, President Clinton said: "Because of the explosion of the nuclear test this morning by the government of Pakistan, I would like to make a brief statement about that first, since this is my only opportunity to communicate with the media and the American people on that issue. "First, I deplore the decision. By failing to exercise restraint and responding to the Indian test, Pakistan lost a truly priceless opportunity to strengthen its own security, to improve its political standing in the eyes of the world. "And although Pakistan was not the first to test, two wrongs don't make a right. I have made it clear to the leaders of Pakistan that we have no choice but to impose sanctions pursuant to the Glenn amendment as is required by law. "Now, I want to say again. It is now more urgent than it was yesterday that both Pakistan and India renounce further tests, sign the comprehensive test ban treaty, and a take decisive steps to reduce tensions in South Asia and reverse the dangerous arms race. "I cannot believe that we are about to start the 21st century by having the Indian subcontinent repeat the worst mistakes of the 20th century when we know it is not necessary to peace, to security, to prosperity, to national greatness or personal fulfillment. And I hope that the determined efforts of the United States and our allies will be successful in helping the parties who must themselves decide how to define their future, to defuse tensions and avoid further errors." On May 28, White House Spokesman Mike McCurry acknowledged that Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in discussions with President Clinton, "was honest" in describing the pressures and the difficulties he (Sharif) faced in arriving at his decision. India, on the other hand, McCurry remarked, had not dealt honestly with the United States about its nuclear test plans. On May 30, following further testing by Pakistan, President Clinton made the following statement: "The United States condemns today's second round of nuclear tests by Pakistan. These tests can only serve to increase tensions in an already volatile region. With their recent tests, Pakistan and India are contributing to a self-defeating cycle of escalation that does not add to the security of either country. Both India and Pakistan need to renounce further nuclear and missile testing immediately and take decisive steps to reverse this dangerous arms race. I will continue to work with leaders throughout the international community to reduce tensions in South Asia, to preserve the global consensus on nonproliferation. I call on India and Pakistan to resume their direct dialogue, to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty immediately and without conditions to reverse the arms race there, and to join the clear international consensus in support of nonproliferation." Finally, on May 30, the President issued Presidential Determination No. 98-25, on the subject of "Sanctions Against Pakistan for Detonation of a Nuclear Explosive Device." It reads as follows: "In accordance with section 102(b) (1) of the Arms Export Control Act, I hereby determine that Pakistan, a non-nuclear-weapon state, detonated a nuclear explosive device on May 28, 1998. The relevant agencies and instrumentalities of the United States Government are hereby directed to take the necessary actions to impose the sanctions described in section 102 (b) (2) of that Act. "You [the Secretary of State] are hereby authorized and directed to transmit this determination to the appropriate committees of the Congress and to arrange for its publication in the Federal Register." Mr. President, these statements speak for themselves. I ask that the texts of President Clinton's remarks and the Presidential Determination be circulated together as an official CD Document. Thank you. (End text)
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