ag3l+@andrew.cmu.edu ("Arun K. Gupta" ) (06/14/91)
================================================================ Source:Dow Jones From:"Arun K. Gupta" <ag3l+@andrew.cmu.edu> ================================================================ Subject:House Ties India Aid To End Of Nuclear Weapons Production Date: Fri, 14 Jun 91 09:01:16 -0400 (EDT) WASHINGTON -AP- The House, taking a slap at India, has voted to cut off U.S. aid and military sales to the country unless it halts production of nuclear weapons. The largely symbolic vote of 242-141, cast yesterday, was seen by lawmakers as a gesture in favor of nuclear arms control. It gained momentum from frustrated supporters of Pakistan who had failed earlier to lift similar restrictions on that country. ''If enacted, (the bill) would have very negative consequences for Indo-American relations,'' which have been improving in recent months, said Rep. Stephen Solarz, D-N.Y, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Asia subcommittee. But he said it is likely that the provision would be watered down or eliminated as the foreign aid bill to which it was attached goes through the legislative process. A sponsor of the provision, Rep. Charles Wilson, D-Texas, said it was ''a matter of simple equity'' to apply the same rules to India and Pakistan. Pakistan has been friendly to the United States while India has often been hostile, he argued. Current law requires that the president certify annually that Pakistan has not developed a nuclear explosive before U.S. aid can flow to Islamabad. An intended $238 million in Pakistani aid has been held up this year because President Bush has been unable to make such a certification. * * * * End Of Article ==============