June 06, 1998 - Afternoon Transmission
New Delhi has blamed the five permanent members of the UN Security Council for not checking the clandestine transfer of nuclear weapons technology and missile material to India's neighbourhood. It has also firmly ruled out any outside involvement in resolving issues between India and Pakistan.
In a strong reaction to the joint declaration of the permanent members P-5 in Geneva, India also rejected their contention that it has raised tension in the region. In a press release the external affairs ministry regretted that a deeply flawed and discriminatory non proliferation system was introduced legitimising the possession of nuclear weapons by a few countries. Their presence in India's neighbourhood created an adverse security environment. This has compelled India to carry out nuclear weapon tests. But it is not directed against any country nor is it a violation of any treaty. The press release recalled the confidence building measures announced by India and said as a responsible nuclear weapon state India is committed to the strict control on export of nuclear material or technologies.
The release said that India had already announced a voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests and expressed its willingness to make it a formal obligation. New Delhi is also willing to participate in Geneva negotiations on the fissile material cut off treaty and discuss a no first use agreement with Pakistan. It said direct dialogue with Pakistan is the only means to develop a peaceful and cooperative relationship between the two countries.
Pakistan has offered resumption of Secretary level talks with India suspended last year. An official statement released in Islamabad, however, said, the bilateral dialogue needed to be supplemented by a broader multilateral process to promote durable peace in South Asia. It said the Geneva initiative of the P-5 nations should be the beginning of international mediation on the Kashmir issue.
New Delhi has called for a thorough investigation into the reports of a Chinese ship carrying cargo for Abdul Qadeer Nuclear Research Institute in Pakistan. According to reports, the ship is now on its way to Pakistan. An External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in New Delhi that if the news is confirmed it only shows the clandestine acquisition of nuclear material by Islamabad.
The Dutch Government has intercepted five export shipments bound for Pakistan. Though the shipments had been blocked earlier, they came to light this week when a Dutch magazine reported that they were destined for Pakistan's weapons programme. It also reported that the shipments were made by a Dutch company with links to Dr.Abdul Qadeer Khan, the man behind Pakistan's nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, Washington Post has reported that Pakistan with technical know how from China is likely to start production of M-11 Missiles within a year.
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has blamed the big five nuclear powers for the escalation of nuclear tensions in South Asia. In an article published in Sydney he said the imbalance of the global power structure was behind the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan.
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