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Pakistan

Clinton Administration Fails to Prevent Pakistan's Nuclear Tests

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Washington's inability to persuade Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resist nuclear escalation highlights the growing challenge of controlling regional hotspots. Hours before Pakistan's five nuclear explosions, President Bill Clinton had made a third plea to Mr. Sharif, which ultimately failed. In response, the US imposed sanctions, joining a chorus of international condemnation from the United Nations, NATO, the European Union, and Moscow.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US failed to persuade Pakistan to resist nuclear escalation, despite President Clinton's repeated pleas.
  • The US imposed sanctions on Pakistan, including cutting off all flows of funds, including aid and government and commercial loans.
  • The sanctions will bite harder on Pakistan, where per-capita income is $480 annually, compared to India, which has a more developed economy.
  • The US was said to offer Pakistan unspecified debt relief and the delivery of 28 fighter jets, but it was ultimately unable to convince Pakistan not to conduct its nuclear tests.
  • The UN Security Council strongly deplored Pakistan's nuclear tests, with Secretary-General Kofi Annan offering to mediate between Pakistan and India.
  • Pakistan's nuclear tests have broken the nuclear monopoly of the five acknowledged nuclear-weapons powers, raising concerns about nuclear proliferation.
  • Russia's foreign minister, Yevgeny Primakov, stated that the five existing nuclear powers have learned to behave and show restraint, but the new nuclear states are in conflict or have border disputes.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan's per-capita income is $480 annually.
  • The US will likely block billions in project funding and loans that were destined for Pakistan through its influence at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
  • Pakistan receives around $485-million (U.S.) a year from Japan.
  • Japan has frozen $30-million in grants to India and plans to make cuts in its annual $1-billion loan program.
  • Australia suspended military links with India and all assistance except relief aid after the Indian tests.
  • The US sanctions will cut off all flows of funds, including aid and government and commercial loans, to Pakistan.

Sources:

  • "Clinton administration criticized for inability to stop Pakistan from going nuclear." Globe and Mail, May 30, 1998.
  • "Pakistan tests nuclear device, defying world pressure." The New York Times, May 30, 1998.
  • "Canada imposes sanctions on Pakistan in protest over nuclear tests." Globe and Mail, May 30, 1998.

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