• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Pakistan following policy of restraint and responsibility :FM

WASHINGTON, June 17 (APP): Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar Thursday reiterated Pakistan's commitment to policy of restraint and responsibility on the nuclear issue, stating that Pakistan's nuclear capability is aimed at deterring aggression and poses no threat to any country. The Foreign Minister informed the US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott during the ninth round of Pakistan-US dialogue on nuclear and security related issues that Islamabad is willing to consider restraints on non-discriminatory basis. "Pakistan is willing to consider measures for restraints on a non-discriminatory, regional and global basis." Sattar said, Pakistan is opposed to nuclear and conventional arms build up and pursued a policy of maintaining a minimum credible deterrence which could secure its security. The Pakistan-US dialogue has been resumed following an interruption of more than one year. Foreign Minister Sattar informed US Deputy Secretary about command and control system and measures being adopted to ensure the safety of our nuclear assets. "We will take every step to reinforce risk reduction mechanisms and appreciate assistance for this purpose. "Similarly, we are in the process of further strengthening our export controls system, fully conscious of the responsibility that devolves on Pakistan as a state possessing nuclear capability."

Following nuclear test of May 1998, the United States had initiated a simultaneous but separate dialogue with Pakistan and India on nuclear and security benchmarks. The benchmarks specifically included CTBT, the proposed fissile material cut of treaty, nuclear and missile restraints, export controls, and Pakistan-India relations, particularly dialogue between the two countries on outstanding issues including Kashmir. The Ninth Round provided an opportunity to review the positions on the various benchmarks with particular reference to developments in the tense security situation in the area. The talks also focused on bilateral and regional issues. Both sides emphasized the importance they attached to the dialogue and its continuation in the interest of peace and stability in the region. They reaffirmed their commitment to develop and further strengthen mutual cooperation and bilateral relations for the promotion of shared interests in peace and progress of the region. The US side underscored its sensitivity to the challenges faced by Pakistan, specially for economic revival, and emphasized its willingness to be helpful. On the nuclear issues, the Government of Pakistan was continuing efforts to build domestic consensus on the CTBT. Pakistan remains committed to its unilateral moratorium on further testing. Similarly, Pakistan would participate in negotiations on the proposed fissile material cut-off treaty in Geneva with an open mind to achieve the objectives of an equitable, non-discriminatory, and universally accepted treaty.

The talks on Pakistan- India relations, specially Kashmir, were a follow-up on the dismissions that had taken place during President Clinton's visit to Islamabad last March and Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering's visit last month. Mr. Sattar specially appreciated the US desire to be helpful and play a positive role in resolving problems and bringing down tensions in the region. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the wide-ranging exchanges and agreed to continue and sustain the dialogue as an important dimension of bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between Pakistan and the United States. Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar also had meetings with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering. The US Secretary of State appreciated the follow-up on the visit of President Clinton and expressed US desire for maintaining strong bilateral relations and continuing exchanges between the two countries for expanding bilateral cooperation. These relations must continue to develop independently on the basis of shared interests. The Foreign Minister informed US officials about the priorities of the Government for revival of economy, domestic reforms and restoration of democracy in accordance with the Supreme Court decision. The Foreign Minister also had meetings with Senator Sam Brownback, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, and Congressman Doug Bereuter, Chairman of the House International Relations Sub Committee on Asia and the Pacific.