US-India nuke deal has implications on strategic stability:NCA

Rawalpindi, Aug 3 (UNI) The US-India nuclear agreement would have implications on strategic stability as it would enable India to produce fissile material and nuclear weapons from unsafeguarded nuclear reactors, warned the National Command Authority at a meeting here.

Matters related to Pakistan's Nuclear Power Programme were reviewed by the National Command Authority (NCA) at the Strategic Plans Division yesterday. The meeting was chaired by President Pervez Musharraf. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, senior scientists and other civil and military officials were also present.

Besides the US-India Nuclear Agreement, the meeting also featured discussions in the Conference of Disarmament on a proposed treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices.

''The objective of strategic stability in South Asia and the global non-proliferation regime would have been better served if the United States had considered a package approach for Pakistan and India,'' a statement released by Inter Services Public Relations said.

The US approach for Pakistan and India , the two non-NPT Nuclear Weapons States, should not only prevent a nuclear arms race in the region and promote restraints but also ensure that the legitimate needs of both countries for civil nuclear power generation are met.

''While continuing to act with responsibility in maintaining credible minimum deterrence and avoiding an arms race, Pakistan will neither be oblivious to its security requirements, nor to the needs of its economic development which demand growth in the energy sector,'' the statement added.

The NCA expressed satisfaction at the current state of Pakistan's strategic deterrence and expressed firm resolve to meet the requirements of future credible minimum deterrence.

It was decided that Pakistan's objective and plans for civil nuclear power generation will be pursued on a priority basis, especially in view of the increasing oil prices.

The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) should evolve a criteria-based approach to enable Pakistan to access civil nuclear energy under IAEA safeguards to meet its growing energy requirements, recalled the NCA.

Pakistan always fulfilled all its international IAEA safeguard requirements for its nuclear power reactors and was ready to accept innovative bilateral and multilateral approaches for establishment of power plants under appropriate safeguards, including nuclear power parks.

Reviewing the current status of negotiations on disarmament issues in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, including the proposed FMCT, the NCA reiterated Pakistan's position in favour of a non-discriminatory, multilateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty, taking into account the security concerns of all states.

''Pakistan would continue to work with the international community and its important partners in the global efforts against Weapons of Mass Destruction proliferation,'' the statement said.

The NCA expressed satisfaction at the steps taken to further strengthen Pakistan's Export Controls including the setting up of the Strategic Export Control Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Oversight Board for Export Controls.

UNI