DATE=6/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233803
TITLE=PAK / INDIA (L)
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PAKISTAN HAS REJECTED INDIA'S LATEST OFFER FOR RENEWED
TALKS, CHARGING NEW DELHI WITH SABOTAGING THE PROCESS OF DIALOGUE
AFTER BOTH COUNTRIES CONDUCTED NUCLEAR TESTS. AT THE SAME TIME,
PAKISTAN IS MAKING A COUNTER-OFFER TO INDIA FOR RESUMING TALKS
LATER THIS MONTH IN ISLAMABAD. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL
REPORTS.
TEXT: IN A STRONGLY WORDED STATEMENT, THE PAKISTAN FOREIGN
MINISTRY SAYS INDIA'S PROPOSAL TO RESUME DIALOGUE IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE. THE STATEMENT CALLS INDIA'S OFFER "A TRADITIONAL
GIMMICKRY OF INDIAN DIPLOMACY."
THE STATEMENT SAYS INDIA HAS ASKED THAT THE TALKS BE RESUMED
BASED ON NEW DELHI'S OWN PROPOSALS AND NOT ON AGREEMENTS REACHED
BY BOTH COUNTRIES DURING PREVIOUS TALKS.
THE STATEMENT SAYS INDIA HAS, "IN EFFECT, SABOTAGED THE DIALOGUE
PROCESS."
THE FOREIGN MINISTRY CRITICIZES NEW DELHI'S REJECTION OF A FORMAL
NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. IT SAYS INDIA
IS ADVERSE TO ANY PROPOSAL WHICH COULD SERVE AS A CHECK TO (WHAT
IT CALLS) NEW DELHI'S "PROVOCATIVE POLICIES."
BOTH COUNTRIES SAY THEY WILL OBSERVE VOLUNTARY MORATORIUMS ON ANY
ADDITIONAL NUCLEAR TESTS.
IN THE SAME STATEMENT, PAKISTAN INVITES INDIA TO RESUME TALKS AT
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY LEVEL JUNE 20TH IN ISLAMABAD. IT SAYS PEACE
AND SECURITY, AS WELL AS THE TERRITORIAL DISPUTE OVER KASHMIR,
SHOULD TOP THE AGENDA.
INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE FOUGHT TWO WARS OVER KASHMIR AND IT IS
CONSIDERED THE MAJOR FLASH POINT FOR MILITARY CONFRONTATION IN
SOUTH ASIA.
THE MOST RECENT CONFIDENCE-BUILDING TALKS BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND
INDIA ARE STALLED OVER THE KASHMIR ISSUE. PAKISTAN WELCOMES
THIRD-PARTY MEDIATION ON KASHMIR WHILE INDIA REJECTS SUCH
MEDIATION, SAYING THE DISPUTE IS A BILATERAL ISSUE.
LAST MONTH, BOTH INDIA AND PAKISTAN TESTED A SERIES OF NUCLEAR
DEVICES. THE TESTS LED TO RISING REGIONAL TENSIONS AND
CONDEMNATION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE UNITED
STATES, JAPAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE IMPOSED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
ON BOTH COUNTRIES.
THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HAS URGED INDIA AND PAKISTAN
TO RESUME DIALOGUE TO SETTLE DIFFICULT ISSUES, INCLUDING KASHMIR.
THE PRIME MINISTERS OF BOTH COUNTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO MEET NEXT
MONTH AT A REGIONAL SUMMIT IN SRI LANKA.
IN THE PAST, SUCH HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS HAVE LED TO A RESUMPTION OF
TALKS BETWEEN THE SOUTH ASIAN NATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/MB/RRM
12-Jun-98 12:13 PM EDT (1613 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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