DATE=5/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232012
TITLE=U-S REACT / INDIA NUKE (S-UPDATE)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE UNITED STATES IS EXPRESSING DEEP DISAPPOINTMENT OVER 
THE INDIAN NUCLEAR TESTS, WHICH COULD TRIGGER U-S SANCTIONS 
AGAINST NEW DELHI. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE 
HOUSE.

TEXT: THE TRIPLE EXPLOSIONS STAGED BY INDIA WERE THE FIRST 
CONFIRMED NUCLEAR DETONATIONS IN THE WORLD SINCE CHINA COMPLETED 
A TEST PROGRAM IN 1996. AND THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAID IT 
WAS "DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED" BY THE TURN OF EVENTS, WHICH IT SAID 
RUNS COUNTER TO EFFORTS BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR A 
COMPREHENSIVE TESTING BAN. 

A SPOKESMAN HERE SAID THERE HAD BEEN  NO  ADVANCE WORD THAT INDIA
WAS PLANNING THE TESTS.  HE SAID U-S DIPLOMATS WILL SEEK MORE 
INFORMATION FROM INDIA ON THE EXPLOSIONS AND THE RATIONALE FOR 
THEM, AND THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL URGE RESTRAINT ON THE PART 
OF PAKISTAN -- WHICH IS BELIEVED CAPABLE OF ASSEMBLING A NUCLEAR 
DEVICE OF ITS OWN. 

OFFICIALS SAY THE TESTS COULD MAKE INDIA SUBJECT TO U-S SANCTIONS
UNDER AN ANTI-PROLIFERATION LAW PASSED BY CONGRESS IN 1994. THEY 
SAY IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY IF THE DEVELOPMENT WILL AFFECT 
PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PLAN TO VISIT INDIA -- AND PAKISTAN -- LATER 
THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/KL

11-May-98 12:39 PM EDT (1639 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.