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CNN Sunday Morning

Pakistani Missile Testing Increases Tensions

Aired May 26, 2002 - 10:10   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: Now more on the Pakistan's missile testing. For the second day in a row, Pakistan has test fired a missile shrugging off international concern that it could aggravate already heightened tensions with neighboring India.

CNN's Tom Mintier joins us now live from Islamabad -- Tom.

TOM MINTIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, these tensions have not gone away. They have stayed about the same level throughout the week, but the international pressure on Pakistan not to continue with its testing program in the light of the tensions seems to have been unheeded.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MINTIER (voice-over): Pakistan, for the second day in a row, has launched another missile. This was the short-range Ghaznavi rocket capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. While Pakistani soldiers may be cheering, world leaders are not. U.S. President George Bush called on both India and Pakistan to show restraint.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As you know, we expressed our strong reservations about the tests. Obviously, we hope that there is restraint in the area, that that not be viewed as a provocation.

MINTIER: In Pakistan, the tests are being viewed as a strong statement.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of what Pakistan did is very much required, and I praise General Musharraf for his brilliant efforts what he did for Pakistan.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Now we will tell them what we have and what not. Now he will have to think 100 times before launching any attack.

MINTIER: The he being referred to is Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee who has called on Indians to prepare to defend themselves. While India has played down the tests calling them missile antics, there are currently a million soldiers massed along the border of both India and Pakistan. Pakistan has announced the four days of planned tests on Friday, and it informed the government of its plans. While the Indian government has played down the significance of the tests, defense analysts have not.

KULBIH KHISHAN, INIDAN DEFENSE ANALYST: It's an extremely irresponsible and highly provocative act. When -- at a time when there is so much tension on the borders, there was no need to indulge in such brinkmanship.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MINTIER: Well some may call it brinkmanship, the Pakistanis say it is a necessary part of their missile development program. The tests are set to conclude on Tuesday. Ironically, that's the same time that British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is arriving in the region to try to cool tensions -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Tom Mintier live from Islamabad, thank you.

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