DATE=11/25/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN - NUCLEAR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256529
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Pakistan's military government says it wants a
minimum nuclear deterrent, but will upgrade its
capability in keeping with neighboring India's build
up of its nuclear arsenal. Ayaz Gul reports from
Islamabad on the statement made by the country's Foreign
Minister Abdul Sattar at a seminar in the Pakistani capital Thursday.
TEXT: Foreign Minster Abdul Sattar says Pakistan will
not engage in any nuclear arms race with India but it
will preserve and upgrade its capabilities.
//Sattar Act//
Minimum nuclear deterrence will remain the guiding
principle of our nuclear strategy. Although the minimum
cannot be quantified in static numbers. That will depend
on the Indian build-up. If India goes ahead with its
(nuclear) program that will necessitate review and
reassessment by Pakistan also. In order to ensure the
survivability and credibility of the deterrent, Pakistan
will have to maintain, preserve and upgrade its
capability.
//End Act//
Mr. Sattar also says Pakistan will not sign the
Comprehensive (Nuclear) Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) unless
there is a consensus among the Pakistani people, who
appear to oppose it.
//Sattar Act Two//
On a policy issue as important as CTBT, domestic
consensus is obviously a prerequisite. Our
(Pakistan's) position remains categorical: if India
conducts another nuclear explosion before the CTBT
enters into force, nothing in or outside the treaty
can foreclose Pakistan's right to do the same, whether
it has signed the treaty or not.
//End Act//
India is yet to sign the nuclear test ban treaty and
is giving no indication that it intends to abandon
nuclear weapons.
India and Pakistan carried out underground nuclear
tests last year, prompting fears of a nuclear arms
race between the rival nations, who have fought three
wars. Relations between the two countries remain tense
over the disputed Kashmir region. India controls two-
thirds of Kashmir and Pakistan the rest. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/PLM
25-Nov-1999 08:10 AM EDT (25-Nov-1999 1310 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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