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Pakistan says no to IAEA access to nuclear scientists

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Oct 4, IRNA -- Pakistan said on Monday it would not allow 
the UN nuclear watchdog access to its scientists. 
Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan however told newsmen at the 
weekly briefing in Islamabad Monday that Pakistan is a responsible 
nuclear weapons state and would continue to cooperate with the 
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the international 
community in eliminating nuclear proliferation. 
He told a questioner that the UN envoy to Iraq, Jehangir Ashraf 
Qazi, visited Pakistan in his personal capacity and did not make any 
request for contribution of Pakistani troops for Iraq. 
Qazi was former ambassador of Pakistan to Washington. 
Khan also said that Pakistan and Germany would have wide ranging 
talks to strength trade, economic and investment cooperation during 
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder`s two day visit to Islamabad on Sunday 
and Monday next. 
"The German leader will have detailed discussions with President 
General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on bilateral,
regional and international issues." 
He said the British Defense Secretary Jack Straw is also arriving 
in Islamabad on Tuesday for talks on various issues with Pakistani 
leaders. 
Pakistan and Britain would also be discussing issues of expansion 
of the UN Security Council other than the issues pertaining to 
important regional issues, the spokesman added. 
Replying questions about Pakistan-India dialogue process, he said 
the two countries have a full calendar of meetings in the last quarter
of this year. 
Foreign secretaries of the two countries will meet in December 
and this would be preceded by several meetings on trade, defense and 
security, maritime security, narcotics, nuclear and conventional 
confidence building measures, Khan said. 
Khan dispelled the impression that Islamabad has abandoned its 
principled position on Jammu and Kashmir. 
He also emphasized that Pakistan has not changed its policy 
vis-a-vis UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir that call for 
resolution of the dispute in accordance with the wishes of the 
Kashmiri people. 
According to the official, for the first time during their New 
York meeting President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan 
Singh crossed the barrier and talked about possible options on Jammu 
and Kashmir. 
"They agreed to explore possible options for a peaceful negotiated
settlement of the dispute." 
To another question he said Pakistan is supportive of the 
electoral process in Afghanistan which may usher in an era of peace, 
security and stability for that country. 
He said Pakistan is also extending cooperation in registration of 
Afghan refugees in Pakistan as voter. 
Over six hundred and fifty thousand voters have been registered 
in Pakistan, the International Organization of Migration announced 
Monday. 
TK/TSH/2323/1412