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CNN Sunday Morning

India Fires Second Test Missile in as Many Days

Aired May 26, 2002 - 07:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: For the second time in as many days, Pakistan has test fired a missile. But Pakistan insists that the tests have nothing to do with its escalating dispute with India over the disputed Kashmir region. We have two reports this morning, CNN's Satinder Bindra. He's live in New Delhi. And our Tom Mintier is in Islamabad. We begin in Pakistan where Tom joins us by videophone.

TOM MINTIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, the second test in as many days conducted by Pakistan was a short-range missile that traveled about a 175 miles and supposedly hit a target. Now, the Indians say that Pakistan is gaming a brinkmanship game here, but Pakistan says these tests are necessary for their newly developed missile program because Navi (ph), the missile that fired today at the short range has never been tested fired before. This is the first time that Pakistan has been able to fire this missile and they do say that it all performed well and did what it was supposed to do.

Now, Pakistan not only notified India, but Iran and the United States that these tests were going to take place. U.S. President George W. Bush had come out and said that both sides use restraint and really speaking out against the conducting of the timing of these missile launches, saying that tensions are extremely high in the region and this does very little to calm things down.

The Russian president has invited both the Indian prime minister and the Pakistan president to visit Tajikistan next month for a three- day meeting there, hoping that some type of summit to reduce the tensions could take place then -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Tom, thanks so much. And India calls the Pakistani tests -- quote -- "missile antics" and says they won't impact the current tensions in Kashmir.

CNN's Satinder Bindra joins us from New Delhi with more on India's reaction -Satinder.

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN NEW DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: That's right, Kyra. Publicly, at least, India calling these tests -- quote --- "antics" in the response of what India says is a -- quote -- "nervous state." But privately, the Indians are very concerned. They view these tests as a -- quote -- "provocative." The Indians also say they are upset that the response from the western world has been so lukewarm. President Bush called these tests disappointing. India perhaps expecting some harsher language. Now, just a few hours ago, India's prime minister addressed a public rally here. And he's appealing to international diplomats to do more, to help India in its fight against terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ATAL BEHARI VAJAPAYEE, PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA (through translator): The international world should understand that India has a limit. Let's see where these efforts lead, see if terror stops. But we want to tell the world and our neighbor, who is also listening, that when the whole world is fighting terrorism, American forces in Afghanistan, how can we tolerate terrorism in our country and until when. In this time of national crisis, we have to remain united. We have to give support to the government. We have to work together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BINDRA: Now, international diplomacy, of course, is very active. Several diplomats from across the western world calling upon General Pervez Musharraf to stop infiltration of guerrillas and militants into -- on the Indian side of Kashmir.

Also, there is a lot of pressure on India to exercise restraint. And our diplomatic sources here in New Delhi are telling CNN that General Pervez Musharraf is perhaps asking for concessions. He wants India to pull back its forces from the border with Pakistan. He wants Indian forces to be pulled back from Kashmir before he is willing to offer any concessions. Now, in the next few days, diplomacy will be stepped up even further when the deputy secretary of state, Mr. Richard Armitage and the British foreign secretary will arrive in the region.

Kyra, back to you.

PHILLIPS: Satinder Bindra, thank you.

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