South Asia Nuclear Crisis
II. PAKISTAN NUCLEAR TESTS, 28 & 30 MAY
Statements by India
South Asia Nuclear Crisis - Special Feature
Ministry of External Affairs Statements, 28 May
Official Press Releases, Ministry of External Affairs, New
Delhi, 28 May 1998
I: "We have heard the news of Pakistan's nuclear tests.
Full facts are being ascertained. Pakistan's nuclear tests have
confirmed what has been known all along - that that country has
been in possession of nuclear weapons. This event vindicates our
assessment and our policy, as well as the measures that have been
taken. We expect that those who disagreed with us will reassess
their stand. The Government have taken all steps necessary for
safeguarding the nation's security."
II: "Our High Commissioner in Pakistan was called in by
the Pakistan Foreign Secretary at 0210 hours (IST) this morning.
The Pakistan Foreign Secretary conveyed to our High Commissioner
that India was preparing to attack the nuclear facilities of
Pakistan. Our High Commissioner dismissed this as an utterly absurd
and malicious allegation. Pakistan has also sought to spread this
canard in the UN and some important world capitals. In the normal
course we would not have lent dignity to this vicious propaganda,
but as it could be part of a more nefarious design, we would like
to make it clear that India stands committed to uphold its treaty
obligations and agreements including the India-Pakistan Agreement
on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and
Facilities. There is no intention, on our part, to heighten tension
between India and Pakistan. We see in these Pakistani efforts yet
another example of their deep frustration. We are confident that
all concerned will reject these crude manifestations of the
traditional Pakistani mindset of hostility against India."
Ministry of External Affairs Statements, 31 May
Official Press Releases, Ministry of External Affairs, New
Delhi, 31 May 1998
I: "We are in the knowledge of Pakistan having conducted
one more nuclear test today. The development was expected. Facts
are being ascertained. ... As is well known, India is already
observing a voluntary moratorium. Pakistan has sought to justify
the nuclear tests by projecting an alleged threat from India. As
[the] Prime Minister has already stated, India does not pose a
threat to Pakistan. The Prime Minister reiterated the offer to hold
discussions with Pakistan on a no-first-use agreement reflecting
our desire to maintain peace and security in the region. ... [The]
Government remains fully prepared to deal firmly and effectively
with any threat to India's national security."
II: "India calls upon all the NWS and indeed the
international community to join with it in opening early
negotiations for an NWC [Nuclear Weapons Convention] so that these
weapons can be dealt with in a global, non-discriminatory framework
as the other two weapons of mass destruction have been, through the
Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons
Convention... The international community can rest assured that, on
our part, there is no desire to heighten tension and Pakistan faces
no threat from India."
Other Indian Comment
Remarks by Prime Minister Vajpayee, 29 May
"These tests vindicate our policy. We had apprehensions about
this... A new situation has been created and it will be taken into
account in formulating our policy."
Source: India ponders next move as Pakistan settles
score, Reuters, 29 May.
Remarks by Defence Minister George Fernandes, 29 May
"Pakistan has made a declaration on Kashmir, saying any peace
talks hinge on Kashmir. To resile from that statement they did not
have to explode their ping-pong balls."
Source: India ponders next move as Pakistan settles
score, Reuters, 29 May.
Remarks by Former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, 29
May
"Now that both countries have deterrents, both should talk
sensibly."
Source: India ponders next move as Pakistan settles
score, Reuters, 29 May.
© 1998 The Acronym Institute.
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