DATE=5/31/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233087
TITLE=PAK NUKES / S
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PAKISTAN -- AFTER COMPLETING A SERIES OF SIX NUCLEAR 
TESTS -- HAS RETURNED TO STORAGE MEDIUM-RANGE MISSILES DEPLOYED 
OUT OF FEAR OF AN ATTACK ON THE COUNTRY'S NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS. 
V-O-A ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL REPORTS.

TEXT:  PAKISTAN'S TOP NUCLEAR SCIENTIST -- ABDUL QADEER KHAN -- 
SAYS THE COUNTRY'S INTERMEDIATE-RANGE GHAURI MISSILES ARE BACK IN
STORAGE.

THE MISSILES WERE DEPLOYED LAST WEDNESDAY WHEN ISLAMABAD SAID IT 
HAD "CREDIBLE EVIDENCE" INDIA WAS PLANNING AN ATTACK ON 
PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS.  ISLAMABAD THREATENED "A SWIFT 
AND MASSIVE RETALIATION" IF SUCH AN INCIDENT OCCURRED.  NEW DELHI
DENIED PLANNING ANY SUCH ATTACK.

THURSDAY PAKISTAN CONDUCTED FIVE NUCLEAR TESTS AND DETONATED ONE 
MORE DEVICE SATURDAY.  MR. KHAN SAYS THE MISSILES WERE PUT BACK 
IN STORAGE AFTER SATURDAY'S TEST.

PULLING BACK THE MISSILES IS SEEN AS A SIGN OF EASING TENSIONS 
BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND INDIA AFTER BOTH COUNTRIES CONDUCTED A 
SERIES OF NUCLEAR TESTS.  

THE PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING TO RESUME TALKS WITH INDIA 
-- SAYING BOTH COUNTRIES SHOULD AVOID A DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE 
NUCLEAR ARMS RACE.   (SIGNED)

NEB / MB / WD / WD



31-May-98 7:28 AM EDT (1128 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.