DATE=7/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235397
TITLE=U-S / SOUTH ASIA SANCTIONS (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SEEKING THE POWER TO EASE 
THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON INDIA AND PAKISTAN AFTER THOSE COUNTRIES
TESTED NUCLEAR WEAPONS.  STILL, OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE NOT 
PREPARED TO ACTUALLY USE THAT POWER JUST YET.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN
HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: IN A SENATE HEARING (MONDAY) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE 
KARL INDERFURTH ASKED FOR AUTHORITY TO LIFT ALL SANCTIONS ON THE 
TWO SOUTH ASIAN RIVALS.  THIS INCLUDES NOT ONLY THE PENALTIES 
TAKING EFFECT AFTER MAY'S EXPLOSIONS BUT THE PREVIOUS BAN ON 
MILITARY AID TO PAKISTAN.

MR. INDERFURTH REPEATEDLY VOICED CONCERN ABOUT THAT COUNTRY'S 
ECONOMIC CRISIS, AND HE SAID THE UNITED STATES MUST BE ABLE TO 
RE-ENGAGE BOTH SIDES.

                     /// INDERFURTH ACT ///

         IT IS CLEAR THAT WE WILL NEED GREATER FLEXIBILITY THAN 
         THE LAW CURRENTLY ALLOWS TO TAILOR OUR APPROACH, 
         INFLUENCE EVENTS AND RESPOND TO DEVELOPMENTS.  IN THIS 
         REGARD, MR. CHAIRMAN, WE SEEK WAIVER AUTHORITY FOR ALL 
         OF THE SANCTIONS CURRENTLY IN PLACE AGAINST INDIA AND 
         PAKISTAN.

                         /// END ACT ///

AT THE SAME TIME, MR. INDERFURTH STRESSED AN END TO THE SANCTIONS
IS NOT IN SIGHT.  THE ADMINISTRATION IS PRESSING BOTH NATIONS TO 
HALT NUCLEAR TESTING, NOT DEPLOY ANY WEAPONS AND IMMEDIATELY SIGN
THE WORLDWIDE TEST BAN TREATY.

MR. INDERFURTH CALLED FOR SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS ON THESE AND OTHER
ISSUES BEFORE THE SANCTIONS WOULD EASE.  HE ALSO SAYS PRESIDENT 
CLINTON WILL NOT VISIT THE REGION, AS PLANNED, UNLESS THERE IS 
SOME MOVEMENT.

                     /// INDERFURTH ACT ///

         WE'VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WHILE THE PRESIDENT WAS GREATLY
         LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS VISIT TO SOUTH ASIA IN NOVEMBER 
         THAT UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT VISIT WILL BE ON 
         HOLD UNTIL WE SEE PROGRESS IN THE DIRECTION THAT WE'RE 
         DISCUSSING.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE SENATE HAS VOTED TO EASE ONE SANCTION BY LIFTING A BAN ON 
FARM EXPORTS, ALTHOUGH THE HOUSE (OF REPRESENTATIVES) HAS YET TO 
FOLLOW SUIT.  A NUMBER OF SENATORS FAVOR GIVING THE WHITE HOUSE 
THE BROAD WAIVER AUTHORITY IT WANTS.  LAWMAKERS PLAN TO TAKE UP 
THAT ISSUE AGAIN AS EARLY AS THIS WEEK. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/WDC/WFR  

13-Jul-98 5:24 PM EDT (2124 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.