DATE=5/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / U-S (L-O)
NUMBER=2-262743
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A senior U-S official is to visit Islamabad
amid signs that Pakistan and India are working toward
another round of nuclear tests. As Correspondent
Scott Anger reports, Under Secretary of State Thomas
Pickering will be the highest-level diplomat to visit
Pakistan since President Clinton's brief stop in
March.
TEXT: Mr. Pickering is to meet Friday with Pakistan
Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar in the Pakistani
capital.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman (Iftikhar
Murshed) says the talks will focus on key issues
facing the two countries.
/// MURSHED ACT ///
The agenda will cover the entire spectrum of
Pakistan / U-S bilateral relations, regional and
global issues of mutual interest, in particular,
Kashmir, Pakistan-India relations, Afghanistan,
global problems such as narcotics and terrorism.
/// END ACT ///
During his visit, President Clinton voiced concerns
over Pakistan's support of Afghanistan's Taleban
movement, which continues to harbor suspected
terrorist Osama bin Laden. The United States wants
Pakistan to use its influence with the Taleban to help
bring Mr. bin Laden to justice for his role in the
bombings of two U-S embassies in Africa in 1998.
Washington has also been pressing Pakistan to reduce
tensions with neighboring India over the disputed
Kashmir region. The United States and India accuse
Pakistan of supporting groups that are waging a bloody
insurgency in the two-thirds of Kashmir under India's
control.
Mr. Pickering is also expected to discuss nuclear non-
proliferation issues with officials during his three-
day visit. The United States has been urging Pakistan
to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban treaty,
especially after Islamabad conducted nuclear tests
two-years ago.
The high-level visit comes as U-S defense officials
say activity has recently increased at nuclear test
sites in Pakistan and India. U-S officials are
concerned the activity may indicate preparations for
another round of nuclear tests. But they say the
activity does not indicate such tests are about to
happen.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Murshed rejects the
activity reports as baseless. But he says in the
event of further nuclear tests by rival-India,
Pakistan reserves the right to take appropriate
action.
/// MURSHED ACT TWO ///
Our nuclear policy is based on the maintenance
of credible minimum deterrence and we will act
according to what is best for our national
security and our national self interest.
/// END ACT ///
Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, in
response to similar tests by India. The tests brought
international condemnation and economic sanctions to
both countries, many of which are still in force.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SA/RAE
24-May-2000 08:17 AM EDT (24-May-2000 1217 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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