WASHINGTON: The United States has protested for the transfer in whole or part of the M11 Surface to surface missile to Pakistan, according to official sources. At the same time, it has also protested to Russia for transfer of advanced rocket technology to China.
It was disclosed recently that U.S, intelligence sources have compelling evidence that China, in violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), has shipped, in the last four months parts of its M11 missile which could hit targets in India al a distance of 185 miles, U.S. satellite pictures of Karachi Port and other Sources are said to have provided Solid indications that China has been shipping M11 parts to Pakistan.
‘The disclosure has led to some of the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to ask for a closed door meeting on reported Chinese export of missile technology. Senators evidently want to have information about such activities as they will be required soon to discuss the continuance of the most favored nation (MEN) trade status to China.
The President, Bill Clinton is to send to Congress legislation soon on the issue of MEN status to China, A crucial decision Clinton will have to make before June 4 is whether the MEN status to China should be conditioned on its observance of human rights in China and in the Tibet region. The disclosure that China continues to transfer missile technology adds to Clinton’s difficulties in making a decision on continuance of the trade Status.
Asked about the Chinese missile shipment to Pakistan the State Department’s spokesman Joseph Snyder said the administration was closely watching reports that Beijing was not abiding by its agreement (6 observe the MTCR that bars the transfer of missile technology to other countries.
“If the administration concludes that China has engaged in improper transfers, it will not hesitate to take action required under U.S. Proliferation Law,” Snyder said.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 21, 1993
