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Pakistan slams exception in nuclear cooperation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Dec 10, IRNA -- Pakistan has cautioned that creating exceptions for any country is not only a step backward in terms of promoting peace nuclear cooperation but also has serious implications for regional and global security.

Responding to questions about France-India nuclear accord, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at the weekly news briefing that country-specific exceptions are inherently counter-productive as these result in mistrust and non-cooperation.

India and France signed a multibillion agreement Monday to build two nuclear power plants worth billions of dollars to India.

Asked to comment on Pakistan's position on the Fissile Material Cut off Treaty (FMCT), the spokesman said Pakistan would never compromise on its legitimate security requirements. “Pakistan's position on the issue is based on principles and keeping with our security interests”.

Replying to another question he did not agree that Pakistan-France relations were on the slide and said they are on the upward trajectory.

President Sarkozy is planning to visit Pakistan next year and that will provide a good opportunity to take bilateral relations to new heights, he added.

Asked repeatedly to give his views on leaks by the WikiLeaks about Pakistan, the spokesman said these pertain to official communications within the US Government system.

“The United States had alerted Pakistan of the unauthorized leaks”.

He, however, said as the Foreign Office is not in a position to confirm their veracity, therefore, it would not be appropriate to react to them.

The spokesman, however, categorically stated that Pakistan and its leadership are fully cognizant of national interests and there would never be any compromise on them.

The spokesman said there are laid down procedures and guidelines for meeting of officials with foreign diplomats but Foreign Office cannot issue any directions to politicians on how to conduct themselves.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30117751