[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 61 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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NUCLEAR TESTS CONDUCTED BY INDIA ON MONDAY, MAY 11, AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 
                                13, 1998

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I am deeply concerned that India 
conducted three underground nuclear tests in the western desert state 
of Rajasthan on Monday, May 11, and two additional tests at the same 
site on Wednesday, May 13. These tests were conducted without any 
advance warning to the rest of the world and are a dangerous precedent 
for future testing by other nations. No nation should think that it can 
conduct secret nuclear tests and not be held accountable for its 
actions. Furthermore, these tests run counter to an international 
campaign to pass the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), of which I 
fully support, and are both irresponsible and unacceptable. The United 
States and the international community must speak out against this 
action and act swiftly and justly.
  India, which has not signed the 1970 nonproliferation treaty, gave no 
advance warning about the nuclear tests on Monday and Wednesday. Indian 
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that the explosions in the 
desert, 330 miles southwest of New Delhi, did not result in the release 
of radiation into the atmosphere. However, this is simply untrue. 
Nuclear explosions, even when they are conducted underground, release 
deadly radioactive materials into the atmosphere and water table, 
posing health risks for generations to come. Treating the human race 
and the environment with such complete disrespect is unacceptable and 
will not go unnoticed.
  While many of India's leaders have applauded these tests, the people 
of India are hurt the most. India is a country of extreme poverty and 
all Indians will be harmed by this act. On one hand, international 
sanctions are imminent which will pose further economic hardship on the 
poorest of the poor. On the other, the radiation from these nuclear 
blasts has severe health impacts on all Indians including those closest 
to New Delhi. It was irresponsible for the leaders of India to 
sacrifice the economic and physical well-being of its people for a 
display of military might.
  Moreover, countries that break international law by detonating 
nuclear devices are subject to denial of U.S. credits and credit 
guarantees.
  Federal law also requires U.S. opposition to loan requests to 
international lending institutions and bars loans from any U.S. bank to 
the Indian government except those that provide food or other 
agricultural commodities. I will bring the issue of international 
sanctions and international lending up with my colleagues on the Senate 
Banking Committee, which overseas World Bank issues, to ensure that 
appropriate actions are taken with regard to countries who disregard 
international law and conduct nuclear tests.
  India, one of several nations widely suspected of nuclear capability 
which has not joined the 1970 CTBT treaty, now observed by 185 
countries, should be pressured to sign the treaty immediately. India's 
leaders acted with disregard and India must be shown that its actions 
are unacceptable. The United States will be forced to impose sanctions 
on India, and I would urge swift action on this front. Nevertheless, 
this irresponsible act by India should not be an impetus to step up the 
arms race by Pakistan. Instead, Pakistan should exercise restraint and 
caution while the international community imposes sanctions. In the 
long-term, Pakistan will benefit most by responding to this action, not 
with military buildup, but with a higher level of dignity and morality.
  Mohandas Gandhi said, We must support friends even in their mistakes, 
however, it must be the friend and not the mistake we are supporting.'' 
India's decision to conduct nuclear tests was a mistake that was both 
irresponsible and unacceptable. Although I wish no ill on the people of 
India, the leaders of the country must accept responsibility for this 
mistake and the consequences that, no doubt, will follow.

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