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<title>AXWORTHY CONDEMNS NEW ROUND OF PAKISTANI NUCLEAR TESTS</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">May 30, 1998 No. 140</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY CONDEMNS NEW ROUND OF PAKISTANI NUCLEAR
TESTS</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy condemned the latest series of nuclear
tests announced today by Pakistan.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The Pakistani Government's decision to carry out another series of nuclear tests
is a highly irresponsible act," said Mr. Axworthy. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"It further increases tension in the region, and threatens international security
and the nuclear non-proliferation regime."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy was deeply disappointed by Pakistan's latest action, carried out
despite the immediate condemnation by the international community following its
first round of tests on May 28, and the earlier tests by India.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Now is the time for both Pakistan and India to recognize the imminent danger of
their actions, and to renounce their nuclear weapons programs," said Secretary of
State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy appealed to both countries to sign to the Nuclear Non-proliferation
Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and urged them to renew
regional dialogue and work toward a peaceful resolution of differences.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy welcomed British Foreign Minister Robin Cook's proposal to convene a
meeting of G-8 Foreign Ministers on June 12, 1998 in London, to discuss this
issue, and has indicated that he plans to attend.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Hilary Humphrey</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1852</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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