ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

US Congressman blasts Pak for 'provocative' step

United States Democratic Congressman Sherrod Brown has deplored Pakistan's 'provocative' test of an advanced medium-range missile, urging President Bill Clinton to review the US nuclear co-operation agreement with China which had assisted Islamabad's nuclear and missile programmes.

In a statement last night, he said, ''It is quite conceivable that previous defence shipments from Beijing to Islamabad have contributed to this latest breakthrough.''

He said the Pakistani test had once again raised 'grave concerns' about the US-China agreement. ''We should not sell nuclear material to China which may very well end up on the tips of Pakistan's new missiles.''

Brown, who is a founding member of the Congressional Caucus on India, said the test was 'extremely disturbing and unacceptable', especially in the wake of India's recent change of government.

He said it was time for Pakistan to make a fresh start with India. Instead, Islamabad had used this opportunity to generate more mistrust. Such recklessness hinders mutual understanding.

He urged Pakistan to refrain from such dangerous acts and focus on improving its relations with India.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report