N-assets wont fall in terrorists' hands, says Musharraf

Islamabad, Oct 11 (UNI) Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf today categorically ruled out possibility of the country's nuclear assets falling into hands of terrorists.

''There is no chance of (nuclear devices) getting into the hands of terrorists,'' he told reporters at an Iftar dinner here tonight.

The President also spoke of international fears that the country's nuclear assets might fall into wrong hands.

''They fear our nuclear capability that it might get into the hands of extremists...such linkages are terrible,'' he stressed.

The President said Pakistan's nuclear command and control structure was one of the best, having multi-tiered security levels.

Recalling Pakistan's nuclear detonation in May 1998, he said said there was a rationale behind the decision to go nuclear and the country was acting in a responsible manner.

He, however, dismissed suggestions of any chance of involvement of the government or the country's armed forces in the Dr A Q Khan network saying it was an individual act.

''Neither the government, nor was the army involved,'' the President asserted.

He said Dr Khan had also already admitted to the nation about his role and there were also documentary evidence available.

''There are national issues of great importance requiring great confidentiality.'' About North Korea's nuclear tests, the President rejected any linkages saying Pakistan's program is uranium based in contrast to that of North Korea that is plutonium based and required different techniques.

UNI XC DH RAI0131