ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Carter chides US reaction to India's N-tests

Former American president Jimmy Carter has criticised the Clinton administration's response to India's nuclear tests.

Carter said while he was disturbed by the nuclear tests, he also questioned how the US government could talk about sanctions against India when the United States has backed away from ratifying a treaty to ban nuclear testing.

"It is very hard to tell India (it shouldn't have nuclear weapons) when we will keep 8,000 or so,'' Carter said on Sunday, in a speech at graduation ceremonies at Trinity College.

Before about 3,000 graduates, faculty and guests, Carter chided the United States for not doing more to help the poor and for spending less than one per cent of its budget on foreign aid, while less wealthy countries contribute more.

"We are the richest nation on earth, but we are also the stingiest,'' Carter said.

But along with his strong message, Carter offered some hope: individuals can make a difference through what he called "the things you cannot see.''

"You cannot see justice and you cannot see peace, you can't see service, humility and compassion. Those are the most important things,'' he said.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report