USA: WHITE HOUSE INDIA/PAKISTAN SANCTIONS PRESS BRIEFING

(10 Nov 1998) English/Nat

The United States is to lift some sanctions against India and Pakistan over nuclear testing.

But the White House says he wants both countries to take further steps toward curbing their nuclear programs before President Clinton reschedules his visit to the region.

India and Pakistan were subjected to a series of sanctions last May after they carried out nuclear tests.

Six months after conducting a series of nuclear blasts, sanctions against India and Pakistan are set to be lifted.

And the announcement from Washington on Monday was one keenly anticipated by both south Asian nations.

The United States says it will lift some sanctions imposed on India and Pakistan after the tests.

It is also prepared to go further.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Because of the financial crisis in Pakistan, the president has also decided that the US will also work closely with its G-7 partners to permit lending by the multi-lateral development banks - the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank to support and IMF program for Pakistan."
SUPER CAPTION: Joe Lockhart, White House spokesman

The investment programs were worth 300 million dollars (U-S) to India before the sanctions were imposed - Pakistan did not participate in them.

Clinton also will pursue, with other wealthy nations, a plan for an IMF program for Pakistan, which has 1.5 billion dollars (U.S) in outstanding debt and is suffering a financial crisis made worse by the sanctions.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think given the state of the economy and the issues that Pakistan faces domestically and economically, this step is prudent and appropriate."
SUPER CAPTION: Joe Lockhart, White House spokesman

India and Pakistan were subjected to a series of sanctions in May after they carried out nuclear tests.

The two South Asian rivals announced a moratorium on further testing, and promised to adhere to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by September 1999.

Lockhart said those were positive developments, but Clinton would like to see further steps taken before rescheduling his trip to the region.

Clinton cancelled the visits because of the nuclear tests.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"So I think that there's obviously been some steps towards, from both India and Pakistan on that issue, if you remember at the UN general assembly there were positive statements made towards non-proliferation, so we think that as the president has often said, allowing him the flexibility in using these sanctions can often be more productive than the rigid implementation of these."
SUPER CAPTION: Joe Lockhart, White House spokesman

Specifically, the U-S wants both nations to sign the test ban treaty, issue a moratorium on fissile material production and adopt restraints on nuclear-capable missiles and aircraft.

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