Pakistan detonates 1 more nuclear device
     30-MAY-98

     AP & Reuters

     ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan detonated one more nuclear
     device Saturday in the remote southwest, defying international
     calls to halt further tests and further escalating the nuclear
     arms race in South Asia.

     Earlier reports had suggested that Pakistan had exploded two
     nuclear devices Saturday. The latest nuclear detonation follows
     Pakistan's tests of five nuclear devices on Thursday, in response
     to rival India's nuclear tests earlier this month.

     Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan said the test was carried out in
     the remote hills of the southwestern province of Baluchistan near
     the Thursday test site, about 700 miles (1120 km) southwest of
     Islamabad.

     Asked if more nuclear tests were carried out on Saturday, Khan
     told Reuters: "Yes, by the grace of God."

     There were conflicting reports as to the strength of the
     detonation. Sources at Pakistan's Kahuta Research Laboratories
     described the test to CNN as relatively small. But other reports
     suggested it was more powerful than Thursday's tests.

     Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is to travel later Saturday
     to Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province, where he
     plans to hold a news conference. The last time Sharif appeared
     publicly was on national television Thursday to announce nuclear
     tests had been conducted.

     In an interview with CNN Friday, Khan said Pakistan's nuclear
     program was active and did not rule out further tests.

     Saturday's test brings to six the number of nuclear tests Pakistan
     has conducted. India also has conducted six tests since 1974.
     Pakistan's most recent test raises fears that tensions in the
     region could spiral into a nuclear conflict.

     International condemnation comes swiftly

     Britain condemned Saturday's test saying Pakistan is acting
     irresponsible and in defiance of international opinion. British
     Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said the test does "nothing to
     enhance Pakistan's security environment. (It) further escalates
     tensions and heightens concerns about an arms race in South Asia."

     Britain said on Friday that it is withdrawing its ambassador to
     Pakistan and will likely impose sanctions.

     A Japan news agency reported that Japan may recall its ambassador
     to Pakistan in response to the country's latest nuclear test.

     On Friday, the Security Council declared in a statement that it
     deplored the tests and urged Pakistan and India to refrain from
     further testing and sign nuclear arms control treaties --
     unconditionally and immediately.

     The United States hopes to follow the declaration with a meeting
     of the foreign ministers of the five permanent members -- the
     United States, Russia, China, Britain and France -- to discuss
     further steps to curb the nuclear arms race in South Asia.