DATE=6/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-234685
TITLE=INDIA U-S (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  TWO U-S SENATORS MET WITH TOP INDIAN LEADERS SUNDAY TO 
GAUGE INDIA'S VIEWS ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS AHEAD OF AN IMPORTANT 
SENATE REVIEW OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS NEXT MONTH.  NEW DELHI 
CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS. 

TEXT:  SENATOR SAM BROWNBACK (REPUBLICAN) AND SENATOR CHARLES 
ROBB (DEMOCRAT) MET WITH INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI 
VAJPAYEE AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS DURING A ONE-DAY FACT FINDING
TOUR.

THE SENATORS LATER TOLD REPORTERS THE IMMEDIATE CHALLENGE TO THE 
UNITED STATES IS TO DEAL THE SANCTIONS ISSUE.  SENATOR BROWNBACK 
SAID HE AND MR. ROBB ARE NOT CARRYING MESSAGES, BUT ARE IN INDIA 
TO START A DIALOGUE. 

WASHINGTON IMPOSED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON INDIA AND PAKISTAN AFTER
THEY CONDUCTED NUCLEAR TESTS LAST MONTH.  THE SENATORS ARE PART 
OF A DELEGATION LOOKING INTO ISSUES SURROUNDING THOSE TESTS.  A 
SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL TASK FORCE HAS BEEN FORMED TO EXAMINE U-S 
SANCTIONS POLICY AND CONGRESS IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE OF
SANCTIONS IN JULY.

AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESS GROUPS HAVE BEEN PRESSURING U-S 
LAWMAKERS AND THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO CUTBACK THE USE OF 
SANCTIONS -- SAYING THEY DO NOT  WORK, AND ONLY MAKE IT EASIER 
FOR COMPETITORS FROM JAPAN AND EUROPE TO DO BUSINESS.

CRITICS OF SANCTIONS ALSO SAY THEY CREATE HARDSHIPS FOR THE 
PEOPLE OF THE TARGET COUNTRIES, BUT DO NOT DETER GOVERNMENTS FROM
GOING AHEAD WITH THEIR PLANS.  LAST WEEK THE WORLD BANK RESUMED 
SOME ASSISTANCE TO INDIA, SAYING IT HAS APPROVED LOANS WORTH MORE
THAN 500-MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SOUTHERN STATE OF ANDHRA 
PRADESH.  WORLD BANK LENDING TO INDIA WAS INITIALLY PUT ON HOLD 
AFTER THE NUCLEAR TESTS.

THE U-S SENATORS ALSO MET WITH INDIA'S INTERIOR MINISTER LAL 
KRISHNA ADVANI AND DEFENSE MINISTER GEORGE FERNANDES.  IT IS NOT 
IMMEDIATELY KNOWN IF ANY OF THE DISCUSSIONS TOUCHED ON KASHMIR, A
DISPUTED TERRITORY OVER WHICH INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE FOUGHT TWO 
WARS. 

THE U-S LAWMAKERS HOLD SIMILAR DISCUSSIONS MONDAY IN PAKISTAN.   
(SIGNED)

NEB/RAE

28-Jun-98 11:38 AM EDT (1538 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.