Resources on India and PakistanWorld Reaction to the Pakistani Nuclear TestsOfficial statements and comments from:The Egyptian-based Arab organization denounced
Pakistan's nuclear tests calling them a "dangerous" step toward an arms
race.
Director of the Division of International Security and Nuclear and Space
Affairs Pedro Villagra Delgado said: "We lament Pakistan's tests because
they generate a nuclear arms race that is not compatible with world
peace and security. Thus, we urge Pakistan to subscribe to the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty."
Villagra also took the opportunity to note concern regarding Argentina's
nuclear relations with Brazil in the 1970s, and pointed out that
circumstances changed. "Now we have a bilateral control agency and we
(Brazil and Argentina) are supervised by the IAEA. In addition, we have
an agreement of full-scope safeguards." At the same time Villagra
remained skeptical that the Mercosur experience might be useful in
addressing the situation between India and Pakistan. "I do not know if
there are conditions for such a process because they have a history of
confrontations that we do not have with the Brazilians." Villagra also
warned that Pakistan and India should consider the situation because it
"can end in something that neither of the two countries will be able to
control."
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer
deeply regretted Pakistan's five nuclear tests and added that sanctions
would be levied within hours. "I strongly condemn the nuclear tests conducted
by Pakistan today [28 May 1998]. As with the tests conducted by India,
Pakistan's actions have serious implications for global and regional security
and fly in the face of the international norm against nuclear weapons testing."
Pakistan rejected Australia's offer to almost double its aid to A$5 million
(US$1.61 million) if Islamabad did not carry out any nuclear tests. Downer
said that he expected the sanctions imposed on Pakistan would be similar
to those placed on India. These would include the retraction of all nonhumanitarian
aid and defense and cultural ties and the possible withdrawal of the High
Commissioner for consultations.
Australia said it deplored Pakistan's sixth nuclear
test adding that it only compounded the international outrage expressed when Pakistan
conducted its first nuclear tests on 28 May 1998.
The Brazilian government said it "deplores"
Pakistan's decision to carry out its nuclear tests. It expressed its conviction
that Pakistan and India's nuclear tests put at risk the nuclear nonproliferation
regime, whose "integrity is an indispensable condition for the maintenance
of peace and international security." Moreover, it said that it was "deeply
disappointed" that Pakistan did not heed the appeals of the international
community to act with restraint following India's five nuclear tests earlier
this month. The government also urged Pakistan to join the Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty, an important step toward nuclear disarmament, a goal to
which Brazil is firmly committed. In addition, the government expressed
concern over a possible arms race with India, and encouraged both sides
to exercise restraint.
Prime Minister Jean Chretien expressed
dismay following Pakistan's five nuclear tests. In an official statement
Chretien promised that bilateral relations with Pakistan "would now
be placed on hold," and said that the foreign ministry would announce further
measures later 28 May 1998.
"China expresses its deep regret over Pakistan's
nuclear test today," Chinese Foreign Minister Zhu Bangzao said. "China
has always advocated the complete prohibition and thorough destruction
of nuclear weapons and is opposed to any form of nuclear weapon proliferation."
Zhu also said China is "deeply worried about this and feels uneasy about
the present nuclear race in South Asia." He then urged both Pakistan and
India to use "the utmost restraint" and to immediately cease their nuclear
weapons programs so as to not further jeopardize the peace and stability
of the region.
On 29 May 1998, the Associated Press reported
that Chinese President Jiang Zemin had made an "unusual step." Jiang sent
a letter to Pakistani officials pleading with them not to conduct nuclear
tests, at the request of US President Bill Clinton. The Chinese Foreign
Ministry declined to comment on the letter. According to CNN, China's public
statements have been "diluted" due to its empathy for Pakistan's position.
A Foreign Ministry statement following
Pakistan's sixth nuclear test said, "[China] expresses deep regret that
Pakistan has conducted nuclear tests once again and are deeply worried and
disturbed by the current nuclear arms race in South Asia. We solemnly appeal
to Pakistan and India to exercise maximum restraint." In addition, China implored
both countries to "immediately renounce their nuclear weapon development
programs and prevent the situation from worsening so as to contribute to
the peace and security of the South Asia region." Moreover, China added
its support to creating a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, and
encouraged the international community to do the same.
In reaction to Pakistan's nuclear tests on 28 May 1998, the Egyptian
government used the opportunity to sell the idea of a
nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East and implored Israel to sign
the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr
Moussa said "This (nuclear test) places the region of South Asia in a
special position in view of the presence of two nuclear powers in it.
Rendering the Middle East a region free from nuclear weapons is now a
must for maintaining regional security."
The European Union said that its 15 member-states
"will be urgently considering" sanctions against Pakistan similar to the
ones already announced against India.
In an official statement on 28 May 1998,
the French Foreign Ministry denounced Pakistan's five nuclear tests. "France
regrets that Pakistan did not heed the calls for restraint. These tests
go against the grain of world efforts against nuclear proliferation," the
statement said.
The French Foreign Ministry said that the
tests "fly in the face of worldwide efforts against nuclear proliferation
and for an end to testing."
Following Pakistan's sixth test,
President Jacques Chirac proposed a summit of "the seven or eight powers
with the capability to do something" to convince India and Pakistan to
sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and join the negotiations at the
Conference on Disarmament on the fissile material cutoff treaty. According
to the "Washington Post," Chirac presumably meant the five permanent members
of the UN Security Council plus Japan and Germany as mediators in his proposed
summit conference. According to Chirac's plan, the "seven or eight powers"
would discuss among themselves first their objectives, "then India and
Pakistan could join the talks . . . and we could all work together to
save the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which must be saved," Chirac said.
President Jacques Chirac implored India and Pakistan to abstain from
further nuclear testing and defuse tensions in South Asia. "We have
already condemned these . . . tests because they represent a double
danger, on the one hand for the strategic balance of this part of the
world, Asia, and on the other for the very survival of the system of
non-proliferation." He also added that, "France, for her part, has
started a dialogue with the two protagonists, India and Pakistan, and
also with the whole international community."
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, speaking for the G-8 said: "In
carrying out these further tests, Pakistan had acted in flagrant
disregard of international opinion. The tests do nothing to enhance
Pakistan's security environment. They further escalate tension and
heighten concerns about an arms race in South Asia. The international
community is united in its insistence that Pakistan should refrain from
further tests." Cook also said, "our approach to Pakistan and India in
light of the nuclear tests, will consider in particular how we can most
effectively bring both of them within the global non-proliferation
regime and encourage them to address the roots of the tension between
them." Foreign ministers of the G-8 will meet in London on 12 June to
coordinate their approach to Pakistan and India. The British Foreign
Secretary will preside at the meeting, since Britain is the current
president of the European Union.
German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel condemned
Pakistan's five nuclear tests 28 May 1998 and called on both India and
Pakistan to avoid escalation. Cooperation and Development Minister Carl-Dieter
also called off bilateral talks scheduled for June with Pakistan essentially
freezing DM70 million ($42 million) in aid.
Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said in response
to Pakistan's nuclear detonations that it was calling off its talks on
economic development, but that it would not go so far as to back EU sanctions.
"The nuclear genie has escaped from the bottle again. Imposing sanctions
cannot put it back in again," Kinkel said.
Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel condemned Pakistan's latest test and urged
the UN Security Council to meet immediately to try to stop "the crazy
escalation" in South Asia.
The Hungarian Foreign Ministry noted the
Pakistani nuclear tests "with regret."
News of Pakistan's nuclear tests reached India during a heated debate in
India's parliament concerning the wisdom of India's nuclear tests.
Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee and Interior Minster Lal Krishna rushed
out of the parliamentary chamber when opposition leaders, who were
heatedly debating India's tests, rose to their feet in anger after
hearing about Pakistan's nuclear tests. Communist Party of India-Marxist
leader Somnath Chatterjee said: "It is a nuclear arms race that you
[speaking to Vajpayee and his government] have started in this region."
Later, former Prime Ministers I.K. Gujral and H.D. Deve Gowda said that
Pakistan's tests were a reaction to India's tests. Former Defense
Minister and president of the Samajweadi party Mulayam Singh Yadav
condemned the BJP-led government for "provoking" Pakistan's tests. The
leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha (India's Lower House) told the
press, "I fear a nuclear race between India and Pakistan which cannot be
the priorities of the two countries." Others supporting the BJP said the
tests were to be "expected." India's chief of the army staff General
V.P. Malik said that the "nuclear explosions conducted by Pakistan have
not come as a surprise to India." Malik also said, "We are no more a
soft state and we are not a push-over when it comes to national security
concerns." "A situation of symmetry has finally been established among
the country's neighbors now. If there was any ambiguity earlier about
Pakistan's nuclear capability, it no longer exists. Now it is known to
the world and it is better this way," he added.
On 28 May, after Pakistan detonated its nuclear tests, Prime Minister
Atal Behari Vajpayee said India had "anticipated" Pakistan's tests
before India set off its own nuclear tests on 11 May. "We knew much
before 11 May that Pakistan would conduct the test," he said. Moreover,
Vajpayee asserted after an emergency meeting with his advisers that
"India is ready to meet any challenge." Also, the External Affairs
Ministry said in a press release that Pakistan was now in possession of
"nuclear weapons" and urged the world to now "reassess" its view that
India's tests were unprovoked. "The (Indian) government has taken all
steps necessary for safeguarding the nation's security," said a ministry
spokesman.
The Foreign Ministry said that Pakistan's
nuclear tests "confirmed what has been known all along — that the country
has been in possession of nuclear weapons," it said in an official statement.
"This event vindicates our assessment and our policies as well as the measures
that have been taken. We expect those who disagreed with us will reassess
their stand," it added. The Indian ministry also added that India continues
to take those steps necessary for its security.
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said that the detonation
of nuclear devises by neighboring Pakistan could lead him to reconsider
India's vow not test its own nuclear devices again. "A new situation has
come up and it will be taken into account in formulating our policy," he
said when a reporter asked him whether India would abide by its declared
moratorium on tests. Vajpayee also said he is still committed to his no-first-use
policy of nuclear weapons.
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said
during a televised parliamentary debate over India's nuclear policies that
Pakistan's nuclear tests "vindicated" India's decision to detonate its
own nuclear devices two weeks earlier.
The Foreign Ministry said that it was not surprised by Pakistan's sixth
nuclear test on 30 May 1998. The ministry repeated India's proposal for
a "no first use" pact and reiterated its call for peace and security in
South Asia.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mahmoud Mohammadi said on state
television, "Iran follows with deep concern the crisis created after the
recent nuclear tests [in Pakistan on 28 May 1998]. The Islamic Republic
of Iran calls on Pakistan and India to promptly cease all tests and stop
the nuclear race and join the [Nuclear] Non-Proliferation Treaty." The
Iranian government also took the opportunity to push the idea of a
nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. "The recent developments
once again point to the necessity of giving serious attention to setting
us nuclear-free zones, especially in the sensitive Middle East region,
which is under the threat of Israel's nuclear arsenal," Mohammadi said.
President Mohammad Khatami told Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
the week before the tests that he understood Pakistan's security
concerns after India's nuclear tests son 11 and 13 May, but he urged
Islamabad to exercise restraint.
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said that Muslims throughout the
world will feel more confident now that Pakistan has nuclear weapons
because it will help balance Israel's nuclear capability.
Prime Minister Romano Prodi said he felt
"deep regret and great concern" when he heard of Pakistan's nuclear tests
28 May 1998. He warned that bilateral relations between Rome and Islamabad
would be affected. These tests "cannot but be condemned with the same force
as those carried out by India, and cannot but have repercussions on Italy's
bilateral and multilateral ties with these countries," Prodi said in a
statement.
The government called Pakistan's nuclear
tests "extremely deplorable." In response to Pakistan's actions Chief Cabinet
Secretary Canes Muraoka said: "The government for its part has immediately
started considering taking proper action against Pakistan." In addition,
Japan's Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi summoned Pakistan's charge d'affaires,
D.S. Kureshi, to place a protest against the Pakistani government, said
Muraoka. Japan, which has suspended new loans and grants to India
in protest to its nuclear tests two weeks ago, might impose similar ones
on Pakistan. Japan is the largest source of foreign aid for both India
and Pakistan.
The government is considering recalling
its ambassador to Pakistan in the wake of that country’s sixth nuclear
test on 30 May 98.
In a joint statement drafted during the
NATO foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg 28 May 1998, NATO and Russia
joined forces in deploring Pakistan's nuclear tests saying they were "deeply
concerned and dismayed by the developing regional nuclear arms race." The
joint statement also said: "The relations of India and Pakistan with each
of us have been affected negatively by these developments." NATO spokesman
Jamie Shea said that by not heeding Western pleas for restraint Pakistan
is "exposing itself to sanctions which it can ill afford."
NATO Secretary General Javier Solana said
following Pakistan's nuclear tests: "We strongly condemn both Pakistan
and India's nuclear tests, which have profound implications for the security
of the region and beyond." In speaking for the alliance, he also urged
Pakistan and India to "exercise maximum restraint." Other NATO officials
said that Pakistan now risks "rigorous sanctions" similar to those placed
on India.
The Dutch government announced it would
freeze all economic aid and ban all arms deliveries to Pakistan as a result
of its nuclear tests on 28 May 1998. These sanctions are the same as those
it imposed on India earlier this month. Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo
said his country was "profoundly unhappy" with Pakistan's tests that could
"further fuel an ominous weapons race" in the region. "The tests, while
not totally unexpected, constitute a menace for stability in South Asia,"
Van Mierlo added. In addition, the foreign minister called on the five
nuclear powers "to quell this nuclear proliferation." Dutch International
Aid Minister also said that his government would halve its G60 million
($30 million) humanitarian aid package to Pakistan.
In a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peru denounced
Pakistan's five nuclear tests as a danger to international security.
"The nuclear tests have a direct relationship with the proliferation of
nuclear weapons and therefore represent a real danger for international
security," the statement said. The statement also urged India and
Pakistan to begin emergency multilateral disarmament negotiations and
for the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone like that established in
Latin America with the Treaty of Tlatelolco. Peru condemned India's
nuclear tests earlier in May.
Russian Reaction--An analysis by Dr. Scott Parrish, CNS Senior Research Associate. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed
"the deepest regret and concern" about the Pakistani nuclear tests which
were carried out that same day. The statement said, "it is deplorable that
the Pakistani leadership has been unable to cope with its emotions and
to demonstrate circumspection and common sense at what is an extremely
important moment." The Foreign Ministry pointed out that Pakistan conducted
its tests "despite persistent appeals by the international community to
Islamabad to show restraint and not to act on the basis of the tit for
tat principle in response to [the] nuclear explosions carried out by India
on May 11 and 13." The statement reiterated Russia's support for the global
nonproliferation regime, and urged both Pakistan and India to "listen to
the voice of the world community, give up further tests," and sight both
the 1968 Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the 1996 Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said
the government "noted with deep concern" Pakistan's nuclear tests. The
statement added that South Africa "opposes all nuclear tests since they
do not contribute to promoting world peace and security." Moreover, "South
Africa believes that security is provided by nuclear disarmament rather
than by nuclear proliferation." The government "repeats the hope that these
tests do not result in an arms race in South Asia."
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman Lee Ho-jin conveyed
extreme disappointment and deep regret over Pakistan's nuclear tests on
28 May 1998. "We strongly urge both countries of India and Pakistan to
declare suspension of any further nuclear testing as well as the nuclear
weapons development program and join without delay the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)," Lee said.
Commerce Minister Leif Pagrotsky told parliament
in Stockholm that Sweden will immediately suspend all weapons sales to
Pakistan. "We will honour existing contracts, but we will not go ahead
with any future weapons exports," he said.
The Swiss government announced that it
would halt all new development projects with Pakistan following its five
nuclear tests, the same measures that it took against India after its nuclear
detonations. As with India, foreign affairs ministry spokeswoman Yasmine
Chatila said her government would look at whether to give Pakistan access
to multilateral credits and under what conditions. The Swiss ambassador
to Pakistan called on Islamabad to adhere to the Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty as quickly as possible.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned
Pakistan for conducting its nuclear tests despite international efforts
to convince Islamabad not to follow India's example. The ministry said
in a statement that as a result of the Pakistani tests, “a dangerous basis
for the further proliferation of nuclear weapons has been created.” Ukraine
called on both India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint” in their bilateral
relationship “which would correspond to the interests of peace and stability
in South Asia and the entire world.” The statement also declared that the
actions of India and Pakistan “have demonstrated the ineffectiveness of
the existing mechanisms for controlling the proliferation of nuclear weapons
and the urgent need to seriously overhaul them.” The statement called on
the UN Security Council to hold a session examining the situation in South
Asia following the nuclear tests.
Speaking after a meeting in Bonn with German
Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma said that “the
international community should not only note the events, but should also
take a series of economic and political measures” in response to the Pakistani
tests. Indicating that he does not believe nuclear weapons are a useful
means of bolstering national security, Kuchma emphasized that “in a nuclear
war, there will be no victors.” He pointed out, however, that despite the
Pakistani tests, Ukraine still planned to complete delivery to Pakistan
of 320 T-80UM main battle tanks under the terms of a 1996 contract.
British Foreign Secretary said Britain
was "dismayed" by Pakistan's five nuclear tests.
British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, in responding to Pakistan's
nuclear tests on 28 May 1998 said: "We urge Pakistan and India to engage
in a dialogue which addresses the root causes of the tension between
them, and try to build confidence, rather than seek confrontation." Cook
also indicated that his government would pressure both India and
Pakistan to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the
Non-Proliferation Treaty, and attempt to coordinate sanctions against
Pakistan in the European Union, which Britain currently holds the
presidency of.
Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said the 30 May test does "nothing to
enhance Pakistan's security environment. They further escalates tensions
and heightens concerns about an arms race in South Asia." Britain
charged Pakistan of defying the world and kindling regional tensions by
carrying out a sixth nuclear test on 30 May 1998. "In carrying out these
further tests, Pakistan has acted in flagrant disregard of international
opinion," Cook said.
In a statement to parliament, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said both
South Asian countries should "stop testing and start talking." "There
needs to be a meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan over the
issues that at present threaten stability in the region." Cook said. He
added, however, that "their security would be much better promoted by
confidence-building measures than by nuclear testing programmes."
Secretary General Kofi Annan deplored Pakistan's
nuclear tests. "I deplore both the Indian and Pakistani tests. They exacerbate
tension in an already difficult relationship." In a separate statement,
Annan called on both sides to cease from "mutual accusations, which could
further inflame the tense situation," and he repeated his call for both
sides to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and to affirm a "no first
use" pledge. In addition, Annan took the opportunity to reiterate the "availability
of his good offices" as a neutral negotiation site.
The United Nations Security Council condemned
Pakistan's five nuclear tests. "The council strongly deplores the underground
nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan despite international calls for restraint,"
said a statement from Kenya's Njugumu Moses Mahugu, president of the 15-member
council.
The UN Security Council chastised Pakistan for its sixth nuclear test on
30 May 1998. Japan called an emergency session of the council to propose
a joint resolution, which it, Sweden, and Costa Rica drafted to continue
to pressure Pakistan and India. After the closed-door meeting, Council
President Njugumu Moses Mahugu of Kenya said the 15-member board "deeply
deplored" Pakistan's actions. The council also called on Pakistan's
government to publicly declare a moratorium on nuclear tests and
delivery systems tests. Secretary General Kofi Annan also again
condemned Pakistan for its most recent test. In a distinct statement,
Annan called Pakistan's test on 30 May 1998 "a further dangerous and
senseless escalation of tension" that might lead "to a nuclear arms race
with incalculable consequences."
At a news conference 28 May 1998, President
Bill Clinton condemned Pakistan's nuclear tests saying, "I deplore the
decision." He also promised to reprimand Islamabad with the same
sanctions the United States has imposed on India. "By failing to exercise
restraint in response to the Indian test, Pakistan lost a truly priceless
opportunity to strengthen its own security [and] improve its political
standing in the world," he said. "Although Pakistan was not the first to
test, two wrongs don't make a right." Clinton also urged both Pakistan
and India to "renounce further tests, sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty,
and take decisive steps to reduce tensions in South Asia and reverse the
dangerous arms race." US law (the Glen Amendment) requires Clinton to impose
sanctions on any nation that detonates a nuclear device. White House officials
said the sanctions would include a cancellation of $6 million in US aid
and a delay in US backing for international lending to Pakistan.
President Bill Clinton condemned Pakistan for conducting a sixth
underground nuclear test. He said, "with their recent tests, Pakistan
and India are contributing to a self-defeating cycle of escalation that
does not add to the security of either nation." "Both India and Pakistan
need to renounce further nuclear and missile testing immediately and
take decisive steps to reverse this dangerous arms race," Clinton said.
Clinton also signed off on economic sanctions against Pakistan that
prohibited billions of dollars in loans from multilateral institutions.
Researched and compiled by Kent Jamison
and Alison Barr.
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