Pakistan reportedly detonates nuclear devices: CNN
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan detonated three nuclear devices Thursday, according to official sources. The tests in a remote western region of Pakistan come two weeks after neighboring India conducted a series of underground tests bringing worldwide condemnation and sanctions from the United States and Japan and raising fears of a nuclear arms race in the South Asian subcontinent.
After the test, Pakistan issued a statement saying it is ready to adapt a nuclear warhead to its newly tested long-range missile.
After the test, Pakistan issued a statement saying it is ready to adapt a nuclear warhead to its newly tested long-range missile.
Fears that sanctions may push Pakistan into default
According to an official with an international lending organization, Pakistan has financial reserves of only slightly more than $1 billion, while its short-term debt, due in the next three months, is between $5 billion and $6 billion. Some experts fear that sanctions could push Pakistan into default.
"Pakistan may be driven to test a nuclear device for political reasons within the country, (to) show its own people that it can do this, even though, from the standpoint of a national interest, it would be better off not testing," said Asian analyst George Perkovich.
"Pakistan may be driven to test a nuclear device for political reasons within the country, (to) show its own people that it can do this, even though, from the standpoint of a national interest, it would be better off not testing," said Asian analyst George Perkovich.
U.S. officials, who asked not to be named, said U.S. spy satellites are monitoring a second location where it is believed a nuclear device has been placed in an underground shaft and encased in concrete.
U.S. officials told CNN that there are "some indications" that Pakistan may be planning a second test -- but said they were not "predicting" a test.
Pakistan's president declared a state of emergency hours after the first devices were detonated, citing threats of "external aggression."
U.S. officials told CNN that there are "some indications" that Pakistan may be planning a second test -- but said they were not "predicting" a test.
Pakistan's president declared a state of emergency hours after the first devices were detonated, citing threats of "external aggression."
The terse announcement by Rafiq Tarar, carried by the state-run news agency, didn't identify the aggressor, but Pakistan has accused neighboring India of threatening to attack its nuclear installations.
Indian officials in New Delhi said such actions were "out of the question."
The Pakistani president also passed a law to prevent the flight of capital from the country, apparently in anticipation of economic sanctions against Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, Pakistani men danced in the streets of Islamabad in celebration of the tests, but sobered when they heard of the belt-tightening that may be required because of sanctions.
Indian officials in New Delhi said such actions were "out of the question."
The Pakistani president also passed a law to prevent the flight of capital from the country, apparently in anticipation of economic sanctions against Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, Pakistani men danced in the streets of Islamabad in celebration of the tests, but sobered when they heard of the belt-tightening that may be required because of sanctions.
Tests were smaller than Hiroshima
The United States announced it would impose sanctions on Pakistan similar to those placed on India after it conducted nuclear tests earlier this month. Other countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also may sanction Pakistan.
U.S. officials, including President Bill Clinton, said they won't give up on trying to stop a nuclear arms race in the region.
"It is now more urgent then it was yesterday that both Pakistan and India renounce further tests, sign the comprehensive test ban treaty and take decisive steps to reduce tensions in South Asia and reverse the dangerous arms race," Clinton said.
The underground detonations occurred about 3:30 p.m. (1030 GMT/6:30 a.m. EDT) in the Chagai region of Pakistan's desolate southwestern Baluchistan province. U.S. officials estimate the yield of the explosions at between five and 10 kilotons, smaller than the bomb the United
States dropped on Hiroshima.
While Pakistan said five devices were detonated, U.S. officials could only confirm "multiple explosions." Some analysts were skeptical of Pakistan's claim and suggested that five "may be a convenient number" because India conducted a total of five tests.
"We have settled the score," Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a nationally televised address defending the explosions. "I am thankful to God."
Sharif said India's recent nuclear tests violently tilted the balance of power in the region, and combined with India's deployment of long-range Prithvi missiles against Pakistan, seriously threatened his country's security.
The Pakistani ambassador to the United States Riaz Khokhar said fear of India outweighed any concerns Pakistan might have about U.S. sanctions.
Pakistan may be preparing for new nuclear test: CNN
Pakistan says its nuclear tests necessary - May 28, 1998 U.S. sources: Pakistan edging closer to nuclear tests - May 27, 1998 Pakistan: U.S. 'guessing' about imminent nuclear test - May 27, 1998 India ready to discuss 'no first use' nuclear pact - May 27, 1998 Pakistan: Nuclear test is not imminent - May 26, 1998 Sources: Pakistan ready for nuclear test - May 26, 1998
01.Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's Speech (Download VXtreme) 02.Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's Speech (Text) 03.ABC's Complete Coverage on NUCLEAR FALLOUT 04.Pakistan reportedly gearing up for nuclear test, 14th May 1998 05.Pakistan ready for nuclear test,26th May 1998 06.U.S. 'guessing' about imminent nuclear test, 27th May 1998 07.Pakistan edging closer to nuclear tests, 27th May 1998 08.Pakistan Fingers On Button 09.Pakistan Tests 5 Bombs 10.Pakistan reportedly detonates nuclear devices, 28th May 1998 11.Pakistan explodes nuclear devices, 28th May 1998 12.Pakistan may be preparing for new nuclear test, 28th May 1998 13.World condemns Pakistan nuclear tests, 28th May 1998 14.'We have settled the score', 28th May 1998 15.Pakistan declares itself a nuclear weapons state, 29th May 1998 16.A cold war of words, 29th May 1998 17.Pakistan's nuclear leader says weapons possible in days, 30th May 1998 18.Pakistan conducts additional nuclear test, 30th May 1998 19.Nuclear powers condemn Pakistan and India, 30th May 1998 20.Nuclear club left uneasy by India, Pakistan blasts, 17th June 1998 21.Pakistan detonates 1 more nuclear device, 30th May 1998 22.Pakistan conducts second nuclear capable missile test, 15th April 1999
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