DATE=2/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN - NUCLEAR (S-L COMBO)
NUMBER=2-258766
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO:   Pakistan's military government says it has 
established a command and control authority for its 
nuclear weapons program.  VOA's Jim Teeple reports the 
unexpected announcement followed a series of high-
level meetings by senior Pakistani officials over the 
past several days. 

Text:   A brief statement issued in Islamabad says a 
National Command Authority has been established which 
will control all policies concerning nuclear weapons. 

The statement says Pakistan's National Security 
Council headed by General Pervez Musharraf gave final 
approval late Wednesday to setting up the nuclear 
Authority which will have a strategic plans division 
and two committees. 

Pakistan, the Muslim world's only declared nuclear 
power, tested nuclear devices in May of 1998 following 
similar tests by India.

Both countries are under international pressure to 
sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which bans all 
nuclear testing, but both have said they will only do 
so after developing a national consensus on the issue.

//END SHORT CR HERE//  

//  REST OPT FOR LONG CR //

In addition to testing nuclear devices, both Pakistan 
and India have also tested mid-range ballistic 
missiles believed to be capable of carrying nuclear 
warheads.

Last year India announced it had drafted a nuclear 
weapons doctrine based on a "no first-use policy," 
regarding nuclear weapons.  The Indian draft policy 
also calls for the establishment of a land air and 
sea-based missile defense system.

    
 
President Clinton is scheduled to visit India and 
Bangladesh next month and U-S officials say, while in 
India, he will discuss nuclear non-proliferation 
issues.  The White House has left open the possibility 
that the president may also visit Pakistan.

A Foreign Ministry statement issued in Islamabad says 
it would be "regrettable" if Mr. Clinton does not come 
to Pakistan.   Relations between the United States and 
Pakistan have been strained ever since Pakistan's 
military seized power last October and also by reports 
of links between Pakistan's military and Kashmiri 
separatist militants who hijacked an Indian Airlines 
plane in December.  (Signed)

neb/jlt/plm 



03-Feb-2000 06:33 AM EDT (03-Feb-2000 1133 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.