DATE=10/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - PAKISTAN (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254979
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
today (Wednesday) denounced the military coup in
Pakistan. More from our U-N correspondent, Max
Ruston.
TEXT: Mr. Annan is urging Pakistan's military leaders
to restore civilian rule to the country as soon as
possible. U-N spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva:
/// de Almeida e Silva act ///
The Secretary-General deplores the military coup
in Pakistan. Although the intentions of those
who perpetrated it are still unclear, the
secretary-general does not believe that coups
are the way to solve a country's problem.
/// end act ///
Mr. Annan, who is traveling in Europe, says he also
hopes that the current crisis in Pakistan will not
aggravate the already tense situation in the region.
That is an apparent reference to the territorial
dispute between Pakistan and India and the two
countries' recent nuclear tests.
U-N officials say they consider South Asia to be one
of the most potentially volatile regions of the world.
They say they are eager to establish a system for
dialogue and negotiation between India and Pakistan in
order to reduce the threat of an armed conflict.
Pakistan's ousted prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has
been a supporter of outside intervention in his
country's dispute with India. India has generally
rejected such calls. The United Nations secretary-
general has said he is willing to assist in any way
that might help ease tensions in the region. (Signed)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JP
13-Oct-1999 14:44 PM EDT (13-Oct-1999 1844 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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