Search
The Indian Express

The Financial Express

Latest News

Livestylz

Mythology

CerfKids

Corporate Results

Matrimonials

Careers

Astrology

Feedback
Columnists

Crossword

Letters

Jewellery
Daily IT Update

Express Computer

Screen

Power

Steel


INDIAN EXPRESS FRONT PAGE

Politics

Business

Expressions

General

World

Sports

Leisure

States

 

Friday, November 26, 1999

Bill Clinton's visit may offer CTBT breakthrough-- Pressler

UNITED NEWS OF INDIA  
NEW DELHI, NOV 25: Senator Larry Pressler today said the coming visit by President Bill Clinton to India offers prospects for a ``breakthrough'' on the Comprehensive Test Ban Teaty as the US is expected to come up with important amendments relating to the contentious issue.

``The treaty (CTBT) may be revised'', Pressler, known for his famous Pressler Amendment told mediapersons after addressing members of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry here.

Asked whether the Pressler Amendment should be retained as sought by India, he said that his stand and views on Pakistan had been vindicated. ``I can take pride in the fact and say that I told you so'', he said maintaining that he had always viewed Pakistan as a military regime whether or not the country was ruled by a civilian or dictator. If Pressler Amendment is retained, Pakistan would be denied the crucial spare parts for its weaponry from the US, experts say adding such a course would enhance India's relations with Washington even indefense matters.

Regretting that India has not really accepted the friendship offer by the US, Pressler said New Delhi ``should take full advantage of President Clinton's visit especially when he is not going to Pakistan or China''. He said the coup in Pakistan in a way would help India clear the US perception about Islamabad.

Pressler said there was a need for a new treaty altogether as, for one thing, India had always perceived it as unfair and also because the nuclear threat in the world is becoming real. He feared that in the next 25 years, someone could drop a nuclear device somewhere in the world. ``It could be used by Pakistan and India could respond or one of the US cities could become a target of nuclear device by terrorists''. One of the former Soviet states or China could also be one of the threats for nuclear set-offs after which the US and other countries would come up with tough nuclear control regime. Seeing the threat for real Pressler said, ``Unfortunately I may see it in mylifetime''.

Predicting that Pakistan is not going to change, he said India had the misfortune of having it as its neighbour. He said the military is well entrenched in Pakistan and that according to a CIA report, Pakistan had misled President George Bush who later brought in the Pressler amendments. ``President Clinton also believed Ms Benazir Bhutto when she told him that she did not know whether Pakistan had nuclear weapons''.

He said even while the US foreign policy had remained obsessed with China and Pakistan, both US and India were on a decisive moment with ``fly in the ointment relations'' in the Cold War era behind us. India has a vast resource of intellectual property and has thriving democracy. Pressler who is set to visit `India's Silicon valley' in Bangalore said the US was getting a vast pool of software solutions from India.

Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.


Top


WorldQuest Network Phonecards! Only 30c/m phone calls to INDIA


 

Click here for a printer-friendly page Printer-friendly page

Saif Zone: International Free Zone -- Sharjah Airport



EXPRESSindia.com
News   Business   Sports   Entertainment
The Indian Express | The Financial Express | Latest News | Screen | IT Update | Express Computers
Matrimonials | Careers | Livestylz | Mythology | Astrology
Columnists | Ebate | Jewellery | Cerfkids
Corporate Results | Steel | Power