WASHINGTON, May 30 -- President Clinton is condemning the latest nuclear test explosion by Pakistan, saying it can 'only serve to increase tensions in an already volatile region.' In a written statement issued this morning, Clinton called on India and Pakistan to resume a direct dialogue and immediately sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
Clinton has already has ordered a series of economic sanctions to be imposed on both countries for detonating nuclear devices. The president said, 'With their recent tests, Pakistan and India are contributing to a self-defeating cycle of escalation that does not add to the security of either country.' Pakistan's Foreign Secretary, Shamshad Ahmed, says his country conducted one nuclear test today, and the Pentagon confirmed a single seismic event had been detected. Ahmed said this brings to six the total number of atomic tests in Pakistan this week. Earlier this month, India conducted five nuclear tests of its own. After those tests, Pakistan faced widespread international pressure not to test its nuclear devices. Earlier, the State Department issued a statement saying, 'This second test of nuclear devices can only further raise tensions in South Asia and undermine the global consensus on nonproliferation.' The statement added, 'We are very disappointed that Pakistan continues to ignore the calls to exercise restraint that were made by the international community after its first tests.' Just two days ago, the American intelligence community had doubts Pakistan exploded five nuclear warheads, as claimed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Analysis of photographs taken at that time from U.S. spy aircraft and satellites revealed preparations for today's atomic test. ---
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