DATE=7/26/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236065
TITLE=CLINTON/ INDIA-PAKISTAN (L ONLY)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=ASPEN, COLORADO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  U-S OFFICIALS SAY PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PLANNED TRIP TO 
INDIA AND PAKISTAN LATER THIS YEAR IS STILL UNDER REVIEW -- 
DESPITE COMMENTS MADE BY THE PRESIDENT LATE SATURDAY SUGGESTING 
THE VISIT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM 
ASPEN, COLORADO, WHERE THE PRESIDENT IS TRAVELLING.

TEXT:  IT HAD BEEN UNCLEAR WHETHER MR. CLINTON WOULD MAKE THE 
TRIP TO INDIA AND PAKISTAN AFTER NEW DELHI AND ISLAMABAD 
CONDUCTED NUCLEAR TESTS IN MAY.   

THE PRESIDENT HAD CONDEMNED THE EXPLOSIONS, WHICH HE SAID 
CONTRIBUTED TO A NUCLEAR ARMS RACE ON THE SUBCONTINENT, AND 
IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON BOTH GOVERNMENTS. BUT ADMINISTRATION 
OFFICIALS DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RULE OUT A PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO 
THE REGION IF IT COULD EASE TENSIONS BETWEEN  THE TWO SOUTH ASIAN
RIVALS.  WHITE HOUSE AIDES SAID THE TRIP WAS UNDER REVIEW.

LATE SATURDAY NIGHT, HOWEVER, AT A DEMOCRATIC FUNDRAISER, MR. 
CLINTON SOUNDED AS IF THE VISIT WAS OFF.  HIS COMMENTS CAME AS HE
SPOKE ABOUT NUCLEAR TENSIONS IN THE REGION.

                     // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

         I ACTUALLY FEEL BAD ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I HAD A TRIP SET 
         UP FOR THE FALL TO INDIA AND PAKISTAN.

                         // END ACT // 

THE PRESIDENT CONTINUED:

                     // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

         I HAD PLANNED TO GO THERE WITH PLANS TO TRY TO HELP 
         RESOLVE THE CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

                          // END ACT //

BUT WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN BARRY TOIV SUNDAY DENIED THE PRESIDENT 
WAS SIGNALLING THAT THE TRIP HAS BEEN SCUTTLED.  HE SAYS IT IS 
STILL UNDER REVIEW.

IN HIS FUNDRAISING SPEECH, MR. CLINTON DID EXPRESS HOPE THAT 
EFFORTS  WOULD SUCCEED TO PUT INDIA AND PAKISTAN ON THE PATH 
TOWARD MORE CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONS BEFORE THE YEAR IS OVER.

                     // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

         WHAT I THINK WE HAVE TO DO IS TO GO BACK TO FIND A 
         SERIES OF CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES WHICH WILL ENABLE
         THESE TWO NATIONS TO  WORK TOGETHER AND TRUST EACH OTHER
         MORE AND TO MOVE BACK FROM THE BRINK OF MILITARY 
         CONFRONTATION AND FROM NUCLEAR CONFRONTATION.

                          // END ACT //

HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO FIND A WAY TO BRING CHINA AND RUSSIA 
INTO THE PROCESS.  (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/WFR

26-Jul-98 6:11 PM EDT (2211 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.