Clinton confers with ruler of Bahrain

US President Bill Clinton on Monday discussed with the ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Issa Bin Salman al-Khaleifa, the nuclear race in the Indian sub-continent.

In a joint statement following the meeting, the US president and the ruler of Bahrain said, "The United States and Bahrain expressed their concern at the increased risk of a nuclear arms race escalating and urged India, Pakistan and other non-signatory countries to accede to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) without conditions."

The statement welcomed Iran's "emerging moderate tone in Iran's statements" and "looked forward to seeing Iranian substantive policies consistent with these statements." They called upon Iran to commit itself to not interfering in the internal affairs of neighboring countries to help prove its "interest in promoting peace and security in the region."

The statement by the president and the ruler also held the Iraqi government as the only side responsible for the "misery of the Iraqi people," who suffer from UN sanctions.

They also reviewed economic relations between the two countries and the positive environment that the developed infrastructure of Bahrain presents for business investment.