The Hindu : International : Pakistan opens talks with Nuclear Suppliers Group

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005

International

International

Pakistan opens talks with Nuclear Suppliers Group

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 11. Hoping to get on to the bandwagon of the declared nuclear powers, Pakistan today opened formal dialogue with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) with a commitment to work towards non-proliferation efforts.

A two-member delegation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) met the Foreign Secretary, Riaz Mohammad Khan, and exchanged views on a range of subjects. Pakistan briefed them about the export control regime on sensitive technologies put in place by the Government.

The group aims to prevent nuclear exports for commercial and peaceful purposes from being used to make weapons. Members voluntarily co-ordinate their export controls to non-nuclear-weapon states.

"As a responsible nuclear state Pakistan would hope to have a beneficial relationship as a partner of NSG in non-proliferation efforts," Foreign Office spokesman, Jalil Abbas Jilani, told journalists.

He said both sides had agreed to continue the dialogue.

Asked if Pakistan sought membership to the Group, Mr. Jilani replied in the negative. He said Pakistan fulfilled "most of the criteria" to become a member of the NSG. "This is the first meeting and exploratory in nature. Questions like seeking the membership of the group would come later." As things stand Pakistan cannot be a member of the Group as it is not a party to the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Mr. Jilani conceded that appending signature to NPT was a requirement to join the NSG but maintained that Islamabad would not join NPT as a "non-nuclear power."

Envoy's abduction

The Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, has decided to send a special envoy to Iraq to discuss with the Iraqi government the release of the abducted staffer of Pakistani embassy in Baghdad. The Roving Ambassador, Ehsanullah Khan, would leave for Baghdad shortly. Mr. Jilani said the Ambassador-designate would also be leaving for Iraq this week. He said the abduction appeared to be a case of ransom.

He said the kidnapped staffer Malik Muhammad Javed was safe and was in regular contact with the Charge d'Affaires in Baghdad.

The spokesman said Pakistan was in touch with the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Islamic Party that comprises respected notables of Iraq. They have assured Pakistan of their complete cooperation to secure the release of the official.

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