DATE=11/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241738
TITLE=PAK U-S NUCLEAR (L)
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
HIS COUNTRY WILL TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO TIGHTEN NUCLEAR EXPORT
CONTROLS TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS. THE
FOREIGN MINISTER MADE THE REMARKS IN AN INTERVIEW WITH VOA AND
AYAZ GUL HAS DETAILS FROM ISLAMABAD.
TEXT: PAKISTANI AND U-S EXPERTS LAST WEEK HELD TALKS IN
ISLAMABAD ON EXPORT CONTROL PROGRAMS TO CURB NUCLEAR
PROLIFERATION.
THE TALKS CAME JUST AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON DECIDED TO WAIVE SOME
SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON INDIA AND PAKISTAN BECAUSE OF THEIR NUCLEAR
TESTS IN MAY.
PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER -- SARTAJ AZIZ -- SAYS IN THE RECENT
DISCUSSIONS U-S OFFICIALS GAVE PAKISTAN THE GUIDELINES THAT ARE
NEEDED TO CHECK THE EXPORT OF NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY.
//AZIZ ACT-1//
LAST WEEK THERE WAS A MEETING ON THIS SUBJECT WITH THE
(U-S) TECHNICAL TEAM AND THEY HAVE GIVEN US THE
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES ON THE BASES OF
WHICH THIS IS DONE. AND IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE WILL
TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS NECESSARY TO CODIFY THEM (AND)
TO TIGHTEN OUR REGULATIONS.
//END ACT//
MR. AZIZ SAYS THAT PAKISTAN IS EXAMINING LEGAL MEASURES THAT ARE
AIMED AT CONTROLLING NUCLEAR EXPORTS.
//AZIZ ACT-2//
IN OUR CASE ALMOST ALL THE INSTITUTIONS ARE IN THE
PUBLIC SECTOR, SO OUR ABILITY TO EXERCISE TIGHTENING
CONTROL CAN BE MADE; THE OBJECTIVE CAN BE ACHIEVED
THROUGH MUCH SIMPLER REGULATION. THERE IS SOME ORDINANCE
(A TEMPORARY LAW ENACTED BY THE EXECUTIVE AND TO BE
PASSED BY THE PARLIAMENT) ON EXPORT OF NUCLEAR
TECHNOLOGY, IF NECESSARY WE CAN AMEND IT. BUT THIS WE
ARE EXAMINING WHETHER WE CAN DO IT THROUGH AN
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION OR IF WE NEED LEGAL ACTIONS WE
WILL TAKE THAT.
//END ACT//
THE TIGHTENING OF EXPORT CONTROL IS ONE OF THE MAJOR POINTS ON
THE AMERICAN NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION AGENDA.
IN ADDITION TO THE RECENT NUCLEAR TESTS BY INDIA AND PAKISTAN,
THE UNITED STATES HAS ALSO BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE
SPREAD OF NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY TO ROGUE STATES.
WASHINGTON IS ALSO PRESSURING INDIA AND PAKISTAN TO SIGN THE
COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY, KNOWN AS C-T-B-T, AND TO STOP THE
PRODUCTION OF FISSILE, OR WEAPON GRADE MATERIAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/KL
16-Nov-98 8:01 AM EST (1301 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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