Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/08/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-294977

TITLE=PAKISTAN MISSILE (L-O)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Pakistan says it has successfully carried out the second test in

less than a week of its medium-range surface-to-surface missile. Ayaz

Gul reports from Islamabad.

TEXT: A government statement says that Tuesday's test was the second in

a two-test series that began on Friday. The missile is reportedly capable

of carrying both nuclear and conventional weapons up to 800 kilometers.

In a statement read on state-run television, President Pervez Musharraf

congratulated the scientists who worked on the missile. The military

leader is quoted as saying the successful launch of the locally-developed

weapons system is the culmination of hard work, and the dedication of

Pakistan's leaders.

Pakistan has been developing nuclear weapons and missiles in competition

with its next door rival, India. The two countries are currently locked

in a tense military stand-off over the disputed territory of Kashmir, and

Pakistani officials blame India for the current military tension. Aziz

Ahmed Khan is a Foreign Ministry spokesman.

/// KHAN ACT ///

Pakistan is not the one which has started any kind of arms race in the

region. We unfortunately have been constrained to do certain tests and

so. They are not aimed at any situation or any thing. They are purely

technical in nature and according to the technical requirements of

testing.

/// END ACT ///

Pakistan tested the medium-range Shaheen missile on Friday. Hours later,

neighboring India test-fired a surface-to-air missile.

The United States has criticized both countries for these latest missile

tests, saying that such actions could lead to an arms race in the region.

The latest Pakistani tests came just two days before parliamentary elections.

The military government is under fire by its opponents and international human

rights groups for allegedly trying to rig the polls to ensure the victory of

pro-government political parties. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/BK