DATE=10/15/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-PAKISTAN (L)
NUMBER=2-255091
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Clinton Administration says it is
examining additional sanctions against Pakistan after
an apparently-difficult meeting between the U-S
Ambassador to Islamabad and the country's new self-
proclaimed military leader General Pervez Musharraf.
V-O-A's David Gollust has more from the White House.
Text: The White House toughened its position on
Pakistan after the two-hour meeting in Rawalpindi at
which Ambassador William Milam reiterated U-S calls
for a restoration of civilian rule, but got no
commitments or time-frame for action from General
Musharraf.
Clinton spokesman Joe Lockhart - who had earlier
refrained from calling this week's ouster of Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif a military coup - embraced the
term and said White House lawyers are examining what
further U-S sanctions can be applied in response.
/// Lockhart act ///
It's certainly much clearer what the situation
is now, as far as what has gone on. It's not
particularly clear on what will happen. It's
clear in our view that this is a military coup
and that the applicable sanctions will be
applied.
/// end act ///
U-S officials acknowledge that the range of measures
available to pressure the Pakistani military are
limited, given that broad sanctions are already in
place because of the country's nuclear program. But
they say United States can use its influence to curb
international lending to Pakistan and shut down
various aid programs in drug control and education.
Mr. Lockhart - under questioning here -- reiterated
calls for the restoration of a civilian government and
democracy in Pakistan. But he did not specifically
demand the return to office of Prime Minister Sharif -
saying that is for the Pakistani people to decide.
President Clinton, meanwhile, discussed events in
Pakistan in a telephone talk with Indian Prime
Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Spokesman Lockhart said Mr. Clinton "recognized the
restraint" India has shown in the situation thus far,
and stressed the importance of avoiding an escalation
of tensions between the South Asian powers.
The two leaders also discussed the U-S Senate's defeat
this week of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty.
Mr. Lockhart said the President assured Mr. Vajpayee
the United States will continue to abide by treaty
terms, and expressed hope that other countries will
not "misread" what he termed the "very misguided"
decision by the Senate. (Signed)
NEB/DAG/JP
15-Oct-1999 15:00 PM EDT (15-Oct-1999 1900 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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