(28 May 1998) English/Nat
U-S President Bill Clinton has condemned Pakistan's decision to conduct five underground nuclear tests as a 'lost opportunity'.
Clinton had pleaded with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday night not to carry out the tests.
But now the President has led the charge for international sanctions against the country - responding as he did with India when it conducted its own tests earlier this month.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"First I deplore the decision. By failing to exercise restraint in responding to the Indian tests, Pakistan lost a truly priceless opportunity to strengthen its own security, to improve its political standing in the eye so the world and although Pakistan was not the first to test, two wrongs don't make a right. I have made it clear to the leaders of Pakistan that we have no choice but to impose sanctions pursuant to the Glenn amendment as is required by law."
SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Now I want to say again that it is now more urgent than it was yesterday that both Pakistan and India 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. I cannot believe that we are about to start the 21st century by having the Indian subcontinent repeat the worst mistakes of the 20th century when we know it is not necessary to peace, to security, to prosperity, to national greatness, to personal national fulfilment and I hope than the determined efforts of the United States and our allies will be successful in helping the parties - who must them themselves decide - how to their define future, to defuse tensions, and avoid further errors."
SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton
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