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

Clinton changes tack, admits India's concerns

In a sudden change of tack, US President Bill Clinton admitted in course of a press briefing that he understood India's security concerns, that had necessitated the nuclear tests of May 11 and May 13 in Pokhran, Rajasthan.

"India has had tensions with Pakistan and with China, these have to be looked into," Clinton told mediapersons at Birmingham, England, at the end of the G-8 summit.

Complimenting India on being the "most successful democracy" for the last 50 years despite external and internal pressure, the US president said, "We have to find a way for both the national aspirations, for security and for standing in India, and the identical aspirations in Pakistan, to be resolved in a positive manner."

When presspersons cited Pakistan's concern that India seemed to be getting away with a slap on the wrist, Clinton argued that the outright condemnation of the nuclear tests by the G-8 summit, as also the demand that India unconditionally sign the CTBT, should be seen by Pakistan as strong signals. "I would like to discuss with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief the wisdom of his country not going in for nuclear testing," Clinton told the media.

Britain said that the example for India to follow was that of Brazil and Argentina, both of whom had mutually agreed not to go nuclear. "Not only would such an arms race have ruined both economies, but also both countries felt that in case of a conflict they could destruct each other." Clinton added, however, that in the case of India and Pakistan, the situation was not quite so simple.

Throughout the press conference, Clinton sang a deliberately low key -- stark contrast to his aggressive condemnation immediately after the Indian tests. On several occasions, he reiterated his understanding of India's security concerns.

Even while discussing the agreement entered into by the US and the European Union about jointly combating weapons of mass destruction, Clinton merely said "recent events in South Asia" have made the need urgent, without directly referring to India's tests.

Tell us what you think of this report