Pakistan links signing IAEA protocol with that of India

Islamabad, Dec 1 (UNI) Pakistan has told the United States and other members of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) that it would consider signing IAEA's additional protocol only if India signs it as well, a media report said.

The NSG had earlier asked Pakistan to sign the additional protocol of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to pave the way for nuclear energy cooperation between Islamabad and the Western nations.

The additional protocol was drafted to strengthen the verification ability of the IAEA after the 1991 revelation that Iraq had nearly developed a nuclear weapon without the agency's knowledge.

Pakistan will consider signing the protocol only after it is done by India as well, and that has been conveyed to the member states of NSG, The Nation quoted diplomatic sources here as saying .

Islamabad has recently concluded an agreement with the IAEA on the application of safeguards of the UN nuclear watchdog to the Chasma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-2 (Chasnupp-2) being built with the Chinese assistance.

Chasnupp-1, also built with Chinese assistance, was placed under such safeguards earlier.

The sources, however, said that the signing of additional protocol was a separate issue and had nothing to do with the IAEA safeguards as agreed to by the agency and Islamabad.

According to the sources, the protocol substantially expands IAEA's ability to check clandestine nuclear facilities by providing the agency with an authority to visit any facility, declared or not, to investigate questions or inconsistencies in a state's nuclear declaration.

''The protocol requires the countries to declare additional activities and facilities to the IAEA and it enables the agency to seek access to undeclared locations and allows for spot inspections in less than 24 hours' notice,'' the sources said.

A government official said that sensitivities involved in the signing of IAEA's additional protocol made it a very significant issue that required thorough consideration before making any decision.

Moreover, he added, ''we would wait and see what final position India takes on the issue.'' UNI XC LL RP KN1454