But the most important thing is that the leaders are discussing it again. Clinton said he hopes to visit India and Pakistan next year, after having canceled a visit this year in response to both nations' nuclear weapons tests. In brief remarks to reporters, Sharif said he hoped his visit to the United States would remove all the misperceptions which are there in our bilateral relations. Besides the White House meeting with Clinton, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and other administration officials, Sharif held separate talks Dec. 2 with Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin. Following the discussions with the treasury secretary Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his country would not be pressured into signing the nuclear test ban treaty.
Coercive diplomacy is immoral.
Sharif s comments came a day after Clinton told Sharif his government must take further steps away from developing nuclear weapons before the United States lifts remaining military sanctions imposed early this decade. Sanctions must be removed and all the embargoes on Pakistan must be lifted. Sharif, noting Clinton's efforts for Middle East peace, urged the United States also to similarly address the conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, a disputed Himalayan region the two countries have fought over twice. Clinton has said he would consider playing a mediating role over Kashmir if both nations were to ask him.