Clinton Appeals to India's Parliament to Back Away from Nation's Nuclear Weapons Program
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: President Clinton appealed to India's parliament today to back away from the nation's nuclear weapons program and to reach out to Pakistan for peace talks. After addressing parliament in New Delhi, Mr. Clinton left for Agra to tour the Taj Mahal. Our senior White House correspondent John King is there. He joins -- we join him now live -- John.</s>JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Leon, a mix of business and pleasure for the president here in Agra. Just moments ago in the shadow of the Taj Mahal, the president delivering a speech in which he promised some environmental help to India. The Taj Mahal in danger because of pollution from steel plants near here. As you mentioned, the president took a tour of the majestic building with his daughter, Chelsea. It was his first time here. She visited previously with the first lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The president, in quite a relaxed mood, stopped for just a moment to chat with reporters.</s>QUESTION: How do you feel, president?</s>WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I had a wonderful day. I was honored to speak in the parliament. And I've wanted to come here all my life. So, I'm very happy.</s>KING: In that speech to the parliament, the president said this was a new day in U.S.-Indian relations. But also, there were signs of the tension in this relationship. Mr. Clinton saying he wished India would push aggressively for direct negotiations with Pakistan over the dispute of the Kashmir region; also saying he wished India would curtail its nuclear weapons program. But, reflecting the sensitivity of India's parliament, the president insisted he was not here as the leader of a lecturing super power.</s>CLINTON: I say this with a great respect. Only India can determine its own interests. Only India can know if it truly is safer today than before the tests. Only India can determine if it will benefit from expanding its nuclear and missile capabilities, if its neighbors respond by doing the same thing.</s>KING: Some tense moments in that parliament speech. But also applause for the president when he promised that, when he moves on to Islamabad, to speak to Pakistan's military rulers, he will call for restraint in the Kashmir and urge Pakistan to honor the line of control dividing the disputed region. John King, CNN, reporting live from Agra, India. Search CNN.com CNNSI.com CNNmoney.com The Web