DATE=5/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=NUKE TEST (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262724
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A U-S defense official says there have been
recent signs that India and Pakistan are working
toward another round of nuclear test --but he says the
blast do not seem imminent. V-O-A Correspondent Jim
Randle reports.
TEXT: The official says U-S intelligence noticed
activity at the sites of privious tests by India and
Pakistan "a couple weeks ago" but says there was no
indications that such tests are about to happen.
But the official says Indian and Pakistani scientists
can probably finish test preparations "in short
order".
The Pentagon's official comment follow a recent story
in a Pakistani newspaper quoting unamed officials
about Indian and Pakistani preparations for nuclear
tests.
And Pakistan Radio says that country's foreign office
"is aware" of press reports about possible Indian test
preparations. The Radio report says Pakistan would
react to a new Indian test "according to what is best
for its national security."
A U-S official says Washington watches both nations'
nuclear programs closely, and calls renewed nuclear
testing "a step in the wrong direction" and "a
mistake".
Two years ago India and Pakistan set off a series of
underground nuclear explosions, drawing criticism from
a number of other nations, including the United
States. Both sides are working on ballistic missiles
that could reach each other's territory.
India and Pakistan share a border and have fought each
other in three wars since independence from Britain
half a centuty ago. (Signed)
NEB/PT-T/PT
23-May-2000 20:05 PM EDT (24-May-2000 0005 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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