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Saturday, Jul 03, 2004

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International - India & World

India, Pakistan should prevent arms race: U.S.

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JULY 2. Taking note of the statement of the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, that he will continue the nuclear programme and test a large missile within two months, the Bush administration is urging both India and Pakistan to take steps to prevent an arms race and to guard against a possible nuclear use.

"... We remain deeply concerned about the dangers that continue to be posed by both nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in South Asia," the State Department's deputy spokesman, Adam Ereli, said in response to a question on the latest comments of Gen. Musharraf.

"We continue to urge Pakistan and India to take steps to prevent an arms race and to guard against a possible nuclear use. I would note in this regard we are encouraged that India and Pakistan have just agreed to work towards a number of measures to reduce risks in the region, including a more advanced agreement on notification of missile tests," he said.

The spokesman was asked why he was bringing India into the picture for it was Pakistan "that seems to be rattling the cage again;" and if there was anything that India had done recently to elevate Foggy Bottom's concerns. "... There is no marked change in our level of concern regarding this issue. It is an issue we continue to raise with both countries and that I would note that both countries discuss between themselves... and that is a good thing. It is something that we see as a positive development in the sense that sources of tension are being addressed in a bilateral and cooperative way, and that's to be welcomed," he said.

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India, Pakistan should prevent arms race: U.S.