DATE=5/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232910
TITLE=PAK NUKE TEST (S)
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PAKISTAN HAS DETONATED THREE NUCLEAR DEVICES IN RESPONSE 
TO INDIA'S NUCLEAR TESTS ACCORDING TO SOURCES IN ISLAMABAD.  
V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL REPORTS. 

TEXT:  SOURCES ASKING TO REMAIN UNIDENTIFIED SAY PAKISTAN HAS 
TESTED THREE NUCLEAR DEVICES.  THE TESTS WERE CARRIED OUT IN THE 
CHAGAI REGION OF PAKISTAN'S SOUTHWESTERN BALUCHISTAN PROVINCE.

DETAILS OF THE TESTS WERE  NOT  IMMEDIATELY KNOWN.

IN ADDITION TO ITS NUCLEAR TESTS, PAKISTAN HAS DEPLOYED ITS 
INTERMEDIATE RANGE GHAURI MISSILE.  THE GHAURI MISSILE IS CAPABLE
OF TRAVELING 15-HUNDRED KILOMETERS AND CARRYING A PAYLOAD OF 
700-KILOGRAMS.

PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF HAS FACED MOUNTING PRESSURE 
TO RESPOND TO INDIA'S FIVE NUCLEAR TESTS.  

THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO SLAP
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON PAKISTAN FOR CONDUCTING THE TESTS.

SUCH SANCTIONS COULD HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON PAKISTAN'S 
ECONOMY.  WESTERN NATIONS ARE CONCERNED PAKISTAN AND INDIA'S 
TESTS COULD SPARK A NUCLEAR WEAPONS RACE IN SOUTH ASIA.  (SIGNED)

NEB/MB/TMD/MMK

28-May-98 9:01 AM EDT (1301 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.