20000117

US to seek ties with Pakistan, India on indvidual merits

ISLAMABAD: The United States seeks to establish ties with India and Pakistan that are defined in terms of their own individual merits, says a new national report presented by President Bill Clinton.

The turn-of-the-millennium "National Security Strategy Report" has been sent by White Office to the Congress, as required annually by the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986.

"Our efforts reflect the full weight and range of United States" strategic, political and economic interests in each country (India and Pakistan)," the report says in the section dealing with foreign policy about South Asia.

It says the US strategy for South Asia is designed to help the peoplesof that region enjoy the fruits of democracy by helping resolve long-standing conflicts, implementing confidence-building measures, and assisting economic development.

"Regional stability and improved bilateral ties are also important for US economic interests in the region," according to the report.

In addition, it said, the US seeks to work closely with regional countries to stem the flow of illegal drugs from South Asia, most notably from Afghanistan.

The report notes that the October 1999 military coup in Pakistan was "a clear setback for democracy in that region, and we have urged Pakistan's leaders to quickly restore civilian rule" and the democratic process.

"We seek, as part of our dialogue with India and Pakistan, to encourage both countries to take steps to prevent proliferation, reduce the risk of conflict, and exercise restraint in their nuclear and missile programmes," it said.

The Indian and Pakistani nuclear and long-range missile tests, according to the report, were "dangerously destabilising and threaten to spark a dangerous arms race in South Asia."

Recent fighting along the Line of Control [dividing the areas controlled by India and Pakistan in Kashmir] is a reminder of the tensions in that part of the world, it said, and of the risk that relatively minor conventional confrontations could spin out of control, with the most serious consequences.

In concert with the other permanent members of the UN Security Council,the G-8 nations, and many others in the international community, the US has called on both nations to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

"We have also urged them to take steps to prevent an arms race in nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, to resume their direct

dialogue, and take decisive steps to reduce tensions in South Asia," the report said.

"We also strongly urge these states to refrain from any actions that would further undermine regional and global stability, and urge them to join the clear international consensus in support of nonproliferation and a cut off of fissile material production," it added.-Internews