U.S. Response to Pakistan Tests

Re “U.S. Trying to Weaken Impact of Sanctions,” May 30: President Clinton stated that “two wrongs do not make a right,” and yet the U.S. Cabinet is looking for loopholes in the sanctions to ease the burden on Pakistan’s economy, just because India started the recent round of nuclear testing.

Pakistan officials have stated that they can and will arm the Ghauri missile with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching most of India and New Delhi in 10 minutes. India has made no such claim or move toward nuclear armament. So, who is the real aggressor? India may have started the testing, but the saber-rattling seems to be a lot louder from across its borders.

The U.S. government will make a fundamental mistake in the eyes of the international community if it shows this kind of partiality. If the U.S. finds both countries are wrong in what they have done, then punish them equally.

VIRAF PUDUMJEE

Palos Verdes Estates

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I agree with your May 29 editorial position on the frightening proliferation of nuclear capabilities on the Indian subcontinent. I can certainly understand the need for national security and the feeling of “pride in nation” that one feels when one’s national identity is recognized for some type of outstanding achievement. But the fact that your nation has successfully manufactured one of the most destructive devices known to mankind is no cause for celebration.

As a citizen of a nation that has used such a device in a wartime situation, I can only ask the people of Pakistan and India (who seem to use the U.S. as a benchmark of justification for developing such a weapon) to judge us by the times that we have not used it: Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf.

JOSEPH R. HEALEY

Fullerton

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There is a silver lining to the India/Pakistan nuclear cloud. Sanctions cutting off U.S. aid kicked in after India’s tests. Then Pakistan effectively refused the millions--if not billions--of taxpayer dollars that the Clinton administration offered as a “carrot” to entice that country not to respond with its own tests.

Now that it won’t be going to two foreign countries, perhaps the money that our government was so eager to spend could go to a more worthwhile cause here at home. Tax cuts, anyone?

JAMES DAWSON

Tarzana