DATE=7/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US-PAKISTAN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264037
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:  China has denied that it is selling missile 
technology to Pakistan or otherwise aiding Pakistan's 
missile program.  As we hear from VOA correspondent 
Roger Wilkison, China says a U-S newspaper report 
alleging that Beijing is still shipping missile 
components to Pakistan is groundless.

TEXT:  The New York Times reported on Sunday that U-S 
intelligence agencies have informed both the Clinton 
administration and the U-S Congress that China has 
continued to aid Pakistan's effort to build long-range 
missiles that could carry nuclear weapons.  China and 
other permanent members of the United Nations Security 
Council have committed themselves not to help India or 
Pakistan develop nuclear weapons or ballistic missiles 
that can carry such weapons.

India and Pakistan conducted tit-for-tat nuclear tests 
two years ago, but western diplomats say it is not 
known whether either country has developed nuclear 
warheads or deployed any missiles capable of carrying 
such devices.

The New York Times article quotes intelligence reports 
as saying China has provided Pakistan with weapons-
grade steel, guidance systems and technical expertise.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi - speaking 
Tuesday through an interpreter at a news briefing - 
denied the report.

            ///INTERPRETER ACTUALITY ///

I would like to point out explicitly to you that the 
allegation that China exports missile technology to 
Pakistan - these reports are entirely unfounded and 
with ulterior motive.

            /// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Sun would not go into detail, but he says China 
continues to abide by the agreement among the five 
permanent members of the Security Council not to aid 
India or Pakistan's nuclear and missile programs.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar has also 
dismissed the reports that his country is currently 
getting help from China. /// OPT /// Mr. Sattar says 
Pakistan is able to conduct research into missiles on 
its own and has not received Chinese-built missiles 
since 1993. /// END OPT ///

U-S diplomats in Beijing say the US intelligence 
reports are complicating President Clinton's efforts 
to get a bill through the US Senate that would grant 
China permanent low-tariff trading rights in the 
United States.  

            /// REST OPT ///

The diplomats say the US State Department's top arms 
control expert, John Holum, is due to arrive this week 
in the Chinese capital to resume a dialogue with 
Chinese officials on non-proliferation that was 
suspended after NATO warplanes bombed the Chinese 
embassy in Yugoslavia 14 months ago.  They say the 
reports that China is supplying Pakistan with missile 
components and expertise are likely to be at the top 
of Mr. Holum's agenda.  (signed)

NEB/HK/RW/JO 



04-Jul-2000 06:28 AM EDT (04-Jul-2000 1028 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.