DATE=6/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-234206
TITLE=PAK / U-S SANCTIONS (L)
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PAKISTAN'S FINANCE MINISTER, SARTAJ AZIZ, SAYS ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE
COUNTRY'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM. MR. AZIZ MADE THE REMARKS IN
AN INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A -- AND ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH
BUEL HAS DETAILS.
TEXT: FINANCE MINISTER SARTAJ AZIZ SAYS ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
ANNOUNCED BY THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OF PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR
TESTS WILL NOT CHANGE THE COUNTRY'S DECISION TO DEVELOP ITS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM.
// AZIZ ACT //
TO THE EXTENT WE NEED THE PROGRAM FOR OUR SECURITY, THEY
WILL HAVE NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER. AS FAR AS NON-TESTING
IS CONCERNED, WE HAVE ALREADY ANNOUNCED A MORATORIUM SO
THAT PURPOSE IS SERVED. FOR THE REST (OF THE FINANCIAL
EFFECTS), IT DEPENDS ON NEGOTIATIONS WHICH WE WILL CARRY
OUT INDEPENDENTLY.
// END ACT //
MR. AZIZ SAYS IF THE SANCTIONS LAST LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, THEY
WILL NOT HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON PAKISTAN'S ECONOMY.
HE SAYS IF SANCTIONS LAST LONGER, THE COUNTRY COULD FACE PROBLEMS
MAKING PAYMENTS ON ITS 30-BILLION DOLLAR EXTERNAL (FOREIGN) DEBT.
U-S OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THE SANCTIONS COULD COST PAKISTAN
ONE-AND-A-HALF BILLION DOLLARS IN LOANS FUNDED BY INTERNATIONAL
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
CURRENTLY, PAKISTAN IS RECEIVING MONEY FROM A
ONE-POINT-SIX-BILLION-DOLLAR LOAN FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY
FUND (I-M-F).
THE WORLD BANK AND THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK ARE ALSO
CONSIDERING NEARLY 900-MILLION DOLLARS IN LOANS TO PAKISTAN.
FINANCE MINISTER SARTAJ AZIZ SAYS PAKISTAN IS CONCERNED THAT
SANCTIONS COMPEL THE UNITED STATES TO OPPOSE LOANS FROM
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
// AZIZ ACT //
WE FEEL THESE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD NOT BE
SUBJECT TO ONE COUNTRY'S LAWS. THEY ARE INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS --THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CHARTER -- AND THEY
MUST FUNCTION ACCORDING TO THEIR CHARTER. IF THERE IS
SOME COUNTRY THAT IS UNABLE TO SUPPORT A PARTICULAR
LOAN, THEY CAN ABSTAIN OR EVEN VOTE AGAINST IT BUT THEY
SHOULD NOT PRESSURE OTHER MEMBER COUNTRIES TO FOLLOW
SUIT -- THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. SO WE
DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS WILL WORK OUT BUT THAT IS THE MAIN
ISSUE AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED.
// END ACT //
MR. AZIZ ALSO SAYS PAKISTAN WILL FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE
UNITED STATES TO RECOVER MORE THAN 650-MILLION DOLLARS IT PAID
FOR F-16 FIGHTER PLANES.
THE PURCHASE WAS FROZEN IN 1990 BY THE U-S CONGRESS BECAUSE OF
CONCERN ABOUT PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM.
MR. AZIZ SAYS HE EXPECTS TALKS WITH INDIA TO RESUME SOON.
THE PRIME MINISTERS OF BOTH COUNTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO MEET AT A
REGIONAL SUMMIT IN SRI LANKA NEXT MONTH. (SIGNED)
NEB/MB/LTD/RRM
19-Jun-98 10:25 AM EDT (1425 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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