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Easing Indo-Pak tension is priority, says Clinton

US President Bill Clinton has said "easing tensions'' in Indo-Pak relations and fighting terrorism are among his top priorities for the year 2000. Clinton stated this in the 1999 national security strategy report, sent to the US Congress on Tuesday in which he outlines his vision for the United States's role in the world and sets out the government's priorities in international affairs.

He said, ''Easing tension between India and Pakistan'' and ''fighting weapons proliferation, terrorism and the nexus between them,'' are among his priorities for this year.

Another significant aspect of the report is President Clinton's proposal for a 112 billion dollar increase in defence spending over the 2000-2005 period, the first in such long-term defence spending in over ten years.

The president also said assisting Russia to strengthen its economy and fight corruption, and arms control discussions with it; implementing China's entry into the WTO and other global institutions; maintaining vigilance against Iraq and working to bring about a change in regime; advancing global trade; debt relief for countries fighting poverty and adopting good government; and reversing global climate change will be high on the agenda.

He said the US has three core objectives in terms of national security strategy which ''are to enhance America's security, to bolster America's economic prosperity and to promote democracy abroad.''

''Our military is -- and will continue to be -- capable of carrying out our national strategy by meeting America's defence commitments around the world,'' the president said.

Clinton said, ''Every dollar we devote to preventing conflicts, promoting democracy, opening markets, and fighting disease and hunger brings a sure return in security and long-term savings.''

The report lists the US government's achievements in 1999, citing free-market democracy transition in eastern Europe; stopping ethnic wars in Bosnia and Kosovo; bringing China into the WTO; and reversing the Asian financial crisis among others.

UNI

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