DATE=5/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232257
TITLE=PAK / U-S / NUCLEAR (S)
BYLINE=ALI ZAIDI
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  A HIGH-RANKING DELEGATION OF U-S OFFICIALS HAS ARRIVED IN
PAKISTAN TO TRY TO DISSUADE THE PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT FROM CARRYING
OUT A NUCLEAR TEST.  AS ALI ZAIDI REPORTS FROM ISLAMABAD, THE 
MOOD IN THE COUNTRY SEEMS IN FAVOR OF SUCH A TEST, AFTER RIVAL 
INDIA DETONATED FIVE NUCLEAR DEVICES, EARLIER THIS WEEK.

TEXT:  TOP U-S GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY OFFICIALS ARRIVED IN 
ISLAMABAD EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.  IT IS A MISSION EXPERTS SAY MAY 
BE THE ONLY CHANCE TO PREVENT ANOTHER NUCLEAR EXPLOSION IN THE 
SUBCONTINENT.

THE DELEGATION IS HEADED BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE 
TALBOTT AND INCLUDES MILITARY OFFICIALS AND OTHER HIGH-LEVEL 
ENVOYS.

THE DELEGATION IS HERE TO TRY TO PERSUADE THE PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT
NOT TO RESPOND TO INDIA'S FIVE NUCLEAR TESTS WITH ONE OF ITS OWN.

THURSDAY, PAKISTAN'S CABINET EXPRESSED UNANIMOUS DETERMINATION TO
CONDUCT A NUCLEAR TEST -- SAYING THE COUNTRY'S SECURITY CONCERNS 
WOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED UNDER PRESSURE FROM WESTERN GOVERNMENTS.

THE MISSION HAS LED TO WIDESPREAD SPECULATION IN THE PAKISTANI 
PRESS AS TO WHAT INCENTIVES THE UNITED STATES MAY OFFER PAKISTAN 
TO REFRAIN FROM TESTING.

PAKISTAN IS CONSIDERED CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A NUCLEAR WEAPON, BUT
SAYS IT HAS THUS FAR CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO. (SIGNED)

NEB / AZ / CBL / WD

15-May-98 12:22 AM EDT (0422 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.