The Hindu : Britain concerned over Khan's activities: Straw

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004

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Britain concerned over Khan's activities: Straw

By Our Special Correspondent

CUED IN: The British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, trying his hand at the pool table with the Infosys Chairman, N.R. Narayana Murthy, in Bangalore on Saturday. — PTI

BANGALORE, FEB. 7 . Britain is "profoundly concerned" over the illegal activities of Pakistan's nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan, and his associates as it believes that illegal proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction posed a serious threat to the world, the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jack Straw, has said.

Mr. Straw said that Britain had taken note of the decision of Pakistan's Cabinet (pardoning Dr. Khan who had passed on nuclear technology secrets to Libya, Iran, and North Korea).

On the Kashmir issue, he said it was a bilateral dispute, and Britain believed that Indians and Pakistanis themselves could solve it. However, Britain was delighted to see the progress in the relationship between the two countries. "We are interested in seeing that peace and security prevailed in the region."

Addressing members of the industry on "Britain and India: A changing and prospering partnership", organised by the British High Commission here, Mr. Straw said that both India and Pakistan had strong incentives to prosper.

Greater security would help the business environment, he said and mentioned how the Europe's borders were drawn by blood and it was unthinkable some years ago of France, Germany, and the U.K. coming together.

The European Union was an example, he said, and hoped to see similar trends in South Asia where free trade would prevail. There had to be complete breakdown of barriers; maybe, there should be a single currency. "It is a vision and it is achievable."

Mr. Straw hoped that the issue of British Airways operating more direct flights from India would be resolved soon as he had taken up the matter with the Indian authorities.

The issue of India's air carrier getting parking slots at airports in the U.K. had to be resolved through negotiations as the airports were privatised. It would not be appropriate for British Airways to ask for slots from private airports on behalf of other airlines. He was keen on seeing more direct flights from India and vice versa, and remarked that this issue had benefited third-party airlines.

Air India has been seeking parking bays at Gatwick International airport, but in vain.

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