DATE=5/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232259
TITLE=INDIA / NUKE / S
BYLINE=DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN
DATELINE=NEW DFELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  INDIA'S PRIME MINISTER SAYS HIS COUNTRY WILL NOT HESITATE
TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR SELF-DEFENSE.  V-O-A NEW DELHI 
CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS.

TEXT:  SPEAKING TO A GROUP OF SUPPORTERS IN NEW DELHI, PRIME 
MINISTER ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE SAID -- IF INDIA IS ATTACKED -- IT 
WILL  NOT HESITATE TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR DEFENSE.  HE DID 
NOT ELABORATE.  INDIA HAS LONG SAID IT WILL NEVER BE THE FIRST TO
USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS.  

THIS WEEK, INDIA TESTED FIVE NUCLEAR DEVICES, BREAKING A 24-YEAR 
SELF-IMPOSED MORATORIUM SINCE ITS FIRST NUCLEAR EXPLOSION IN 
1974. 

THERE WAS MASSIVE INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION OF THE UNDERGROUND 
TESTS AND PRESIDENT CLINTON IMPOSED U-S ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON NEW
DELHI IN RETALIATION.  UNDER U-S LAW SANCTIONS ARE MANDATORY.  

DEFENSE ANALYSTS HAVE WARNED OF AN ARMS RACE DEVELOPING IN SOUTH 
ASIA.  INDIA HAS FOUGHT THREE WARS WITH PAKISTAN, WHICH ALSO HAS 
A NUCLEAR CAPABILITY.  (SIGNED)

NEB / WD / WD



15-May-98 2:53 AM EDT (0653 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.