[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H3081-H3082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTH ASIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, following up on the previous gentleman from 
American Samoa, this week's headlines have focused on India's nuclear 
tests at a below-ground location within India. Analysts have 
interpreted this action as an indication that India is moving from a 
policy of ambiguity about its nuclear capabilities, a policy that has 
essentially stood since India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, 
to more openly declaring that it has nuclear weapons.
  Mr. Speaker, while I oppose nuclear testing by India or any other 
nation, I want to stress that this week's test should not derail the 
U.S.-India relationship, which has been growing closer and stronger 
over the past 5 or 6 years. Particularly in the areas of trade and 
investment, the United States and India are finding that we have many 
common interests.

[[Page H3082]]

  In terms of our strategic relationship, this week's news 
demonstrates, if anything, the need for closer coordination between the 
United States and India, the world's two largest democracies, and more 
effective diplomacy in trying to improve stability and working towards 
a reduction in nuclear weapons arsenals.
  Mr. Speaker, in light of this week's test, it is particularly 
important to remember the defense situation that India faces. India 
shares approximately a 1,000-mile border with China, a nuclear-armed 
Communist dictatorship that has already launched a border war against 
India and maintains a large force on India's borders. China maintains 
nuclear weapons in occupied Tibet, on India's borders, and also 
maintains a military presence in Burma, another neighbor of India.
  China has been proven to be involved in the transfer of nuclear and 
missile technology to unstable regimes, including Pakistan, a country 
that has been involved in hostile actions against India for many years; 
and China has conducted some 45 underground nuclear tests over the 
years.
  Mr. Speaker, I bring out these facts to help put India's action this 
week into perspective, to try to explain to my colleagues here and to 
the American people the background for India's decision to conduct 
these tests. I know that India's action has met with widespread 
criticism, including from our own administration, but India's decision 
to test a nuclear explosive device should be understood in the context 
of the huge threat posed by China. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I believe the 
United States should be taking the threat from China more seriously and 
doing much more to discourage and deter China's proliferation efforts.
  Now that India has demonstrated its nuclear capability, I would urge 
India's government to join the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, following 
the other democratic nations in the nuclear club, including the United 
States, that have now discontinued testing. Having nuclear capability 
means that India has an even greater burden to ensure peace in its 
region and in the world.
  I would urge President Clinton to wait before imposing sanctions, I 
am talking about the sanctions that have been discussed, particularly 
if India announces that it will not conduct any further tests. The 
implications of the sanctions are so broad that many of our own 
interests could be damaged, particularly in the area of trade and 
investment. A wide range of international financial institutions would 
also be prevented from working in India, potentially thwarting 
important development projects that will help improve the quality of 
life for India's people.
  Since India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, it has 
maintained the strictest controls on transfers of nuclear technology. 
India's nuclear program is indigenous, and successive Indian 
governments have not been involved in the transfer or acquisition of 
nuclear technologies with other nations. I believe it is very important 
that this policy be maintained, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, again, although I oppose the nuclear tests, I believe 
that we must now work with India and the rest of the world community in 
enacting and enforcing an effective worldwide ban on nuclear testing, 
leading to the reduction and ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons 
from the face of the Earth.

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