DATE=4/13/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229549
TITLE=PAK MISSILES / S-O
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PAKISTAN IS DENYING REPORTS THE TECHNOLOGY USED FOR THE 
MISSILE IT TEST-FIRED ONE WEEK AGO WAS DEVELOPED BY NORTH KOREA. 
V-O-A ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL HAS DETAILS.

TEXT:  THE OFFICIAL PAKISTAN NEWS AGENCY SAYS THE FOREIGN 
MINISTRY IS DENYING REPORTS THE TECHNOLOGY USED FOR THE RECENTLY 
TEST-FIRED GHAURI MISSILE WAS SMUGGLED FROM NORTH KOREA.

NEWSPAPERS IN NEW YORK AND TOKYO ARE REPORTING THE GHAURI IS 
NEARLY IDENTICAL TO A NORTH KOREAN MISSILE.

THE PAKISTAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS SUCH REPORTS ARE 
"BASELESS."

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE GHAURI IS INDIGENOUS IN ALL RESPECTS AND 
REPRESENTS PAKISTAN'S "OWN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL 
CAPABILITIES."

PAKISTAN SAYS THE MISSILE HAS A RANGE OF 1500 KILOMETERS AND CAN 
CARRY A PAYLOAD OF 700 KILOGRAMS.

THE GHAURI MISSILE IS NAMED AFTER A 12TH CENTURY AFGHAN CHIEFTAIN
WHO INVADED INDIA AND DEFEATED A HINDU PRINCE WHO WAS RULING THE 
COUNTRY.

INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE FOUGHT THREE WARS SINCE BOTH COUNTRIES 
GAINED INDEPENDENCE FROM BRITAIN IN 1947.   (SIGNED)

NEB / MB / WD / WD

13-Apr-98 4:27 AM EDT (0827 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.