Pakistan rules out talks on nuclear programme freeze

[Devil Soul]

Pakistan rules out talks on nuclear programme freeze
By Kamran Yousaf
Published: May 18, 2016
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Islamabad rejects US demand to negotiate on FMTC, which aims to ban production of uranium, plutonium. PHOTO: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has turned down a US demand to start negotiations on a treaty that bans production of fissile materials used in making nuclear weapons, officials said after talks between the two countries on nonproliferation issues on Tuesday.

Islamabad has long been resisting US pressure to freeze its nuclear programme by agreeing to sign the controversial Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). The FMCT is aimed at placing a ban on the production of fissile materials, including uranium and plutonium.

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At a meeting of the Pakistan-US Working Group on Security, Strategic Stability and Nonproliferation, the American delegation pressed Islamabad to start negotiations on the treaty dealing with fissile materials.

In response, Pakistan underlined its preference for broader Fissile Material Treaty (FMT) that “addresses the asymmetries in existing stocks” and said its position would be determined by its national interests and the objectives of strategic stability in South Asia,” said a joint statement issued by the Foreign Office.

The eighth round of the working group, which is part of the strategic dialogue, was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller.

Pakistan believes the treaty must include existing stocks otherwise the imbalance of power in the world will simply be further enhanced. The country’s reluctance to sign the treaty is also attributed to the discriminatory policies of the West on civilian nuclear cooperation.

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While rejecting talks on the FMCT in its current form and conditions, Pakistan, however, assured the US delegation that it would not be the first in its region to resume nuclear testing, and expressed its support for the objectives of Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The meeting of the working group was held against the backdrop of recent missile testing by archrival India that, according to Pakistan, would disturb the strategic balance in South Asia.

The Foreign Office’s statement said both sides recognised their interest in strategic stability and discussed their respective concerns over nuclear and missile developments in South Asia.

In that context, Pakistan also expressed concerns on growing conventional imbalance, and reiterated its longstanding proposal for the Strategic Restraint Regime (SRR) in South Asia and its readiness to pursue measures in the region aimed at building confidence and avoidance of an arms race.

Both sides emphasised the importance of meaningful dialogue and progress in this area and expressed hope for lasting peace in South Asia and the resolution of outstanding disputes through peaceful means.

According to the statement, the US delegation recognised Pakistan’s significant efforts to harmonise its strategic trade controls with those of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and other multilateral export control regimes.

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Both sides agreed on the value of Pakistan’s continued engagement, outreach and integration into the international non-proliferation regime.

The Pakistan delegation expressed its confidence regarding their country’s credentials to become full member of the export control regimes, particularly the NSG and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

Both sides committed to continue cooperation related to export control capacity-building under the US Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) programme.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan stressed the need for access to peaceful uses of nuclear technology as a socio-economic imperative. Pakistan also indicated its interest in cooperation with the US on peaceful applications of the nuclear science in areas such as health, agriculture and water.

The US expressed its interest in exploring such nuclear science cooperation with Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2016.

 

[shah1398]

Pakistan has turned down a US demand to start negotiations on a treaty that bans production of fissile materials used in making nuclear weapons, officials said after talks between the two countries on nonproliferation issues on Tuesday.

Has any such demand been made to India too?

 

[Kal Muah]

Has any such demand been made to India too?

Nop. India is too large a country, both size and economy wise for demanding such things.

 

[shah1398]

Nop. India is too large a country both size and economy size for demanding such things.

Not actually the case so but mainly bcz right now India is darling of Uncle Sam and thats it.

 

[posedion]

Not actually the case so but mainly bcz right now India is darling of Uncle Sam and thats it.

When there was no darling warling Buddha Smiled, when the Seventh fleet came in 1971 there was a Advance party for welcome..... India knows how to take its position in Globe we don't bend backwards for any

 

[That Guy]

With US influence declining within Pakistan, there is little reason to believe that Pakistan is going to give in to any demand made by the US. In fact, the opposite may end up happening, as these demands may cause Pakistan to redouble it's efforts to spite the US for what Pakistan perceives to be double standards.

 

[shah1398]

When there was no darling warling Buddha Smiled, when the Seventh fleet came in 1971 there was a Advance party for welcome..... India knows how to take its position in Globe we don't bend backwards for any

So that is why India is blindly falling in trap of Uncle Sam and he is using India to counter China on his behalf rather than challenging China himself?

 

[Kal Muah]

So that is why India is blindly falling in trap of Uncle Sam and he is using India to counter China on his behalf rather than challenging China himself?

You have no idea how rigourous course Indians has to go through to become bureaucrats , infact UPSC is one of the toughest exam in the world. Anyways comming to the point, this friends theory is done by your country, which again is repeating the same thing with China. India have strategic partners, our diplomats dont go around saying higher than mountain and sweeter than ocean and other stuff. We deal with both Russia and US, Iran and Saudi Arabia, China and North Korea, Oman and Arabs, we have good relations with pretty much everyone, even with your civilian government

 

[posedion]

So that is why India is blindly falling in trap of Uncle Sam and he is using India to counter China on his behalf rather than challenging China himself?

What Trap !!!!!!

Geo Politics suits our interest in being in partnership with Americans yet we maintain healthy relationship with all major powers, China's problems cant be ours , of course if the Chinese are willing to accommodate our concerns we can take theirs seriously.. for you the Chinese may be very important we give a damn what they think and we pursue our strategic goals.

Though you may differ we consider China as our long term partner and the next few decades we will see convergence on many issues as Asia's largest economies cant be at disagreement for too long the baggage of history will be dropped at some point....... for a new start....

 

[shah1398]

You have no idea how rigourous course Indians has to go through to become bureaucrats , infact UPSC is one of the toughest exam in the world. Anyways comming to the point, this friends theory is done by your country, which again is repeating the same thing with China. India have strategic partners, our diplomats dont go around saying higher than mountain and sweeter than ocean and other stuff. We deal with both Russia and US, Iran and Saudi Arabia, China and North Korea, Oman and Arabs, we have good relations with pretty much everyone, even with your civilian government

All these relations are money and trade driven. If U can trade with anyone, that country would surely be in good terms with U. Sides are only taken during conflicts.

What Trap !!!!!!

Geo Politics suits our interest in being in partnership with Americans yet we maintain healthy relationship with all major powers, China's problems cant be ours , of course if the Chinese are willing to accommodate our concerns we can take theirs seriously.. for you the Chinese may be very important we give a damn what they think and we pursue our strategic goals.

Though you may differ we consider China as our long term partner and the next few decades we will see convergence on many issues as Asia's largest economies cant be at disagreement for too long the baggage of history will be dropped at some point....... for a new start....

When U wud awake from the deep slumber, only then U ll realize what blunder U have done.

 

[Kal Muah]

All these relations are money and trade driven. If U can trade with anyone, that country would surely be in good terms with U. Sides are only taken during conflicts.

Finally, thats what i said, India is too big a country in terms of economy for anyone to ignore or for pakistan to even compare. What pakistan needs is to find its own USP and not portray itself as anti-india...i hope you will agree with this point

 

[shah1398]

Finally, thats what i said, India is too big a country in terms of economy for anyone to ignore or for pakistan to even compare. What pakistan needs is to find its own USP and not portray itself as anti-india...i hope you will agree with this point

U portray urself anti someone only when U have conflict of interests. Same holds good for any country. Its not just India-Pakistan case.

 

[Kal Muah]

When U wud awake from the deep slumber, only then U ll realize what blunder U have done.

What you have said is absolutely right, but your diplomats certainly failed to do so. Giving lease 100 years to port, CPEC with such high interest, you are only playing in their tunes, just like previously you did with US. China is even more dangerous than US, if you have followed african nations, then i guess you know how local industry got destroyed and everything is chinese. Good luck fighting that.

 

[Kal Muah]

U portray urself anti someone only when U have conflict of interests. Same holds good for any country. Its not just India-Pakistan case.

You surely can portray anti-anyone, the question is what its going to yield? For ex: Lets say India portray itself anti-china, US and nato will keep supporting India. Now, Lets say Pakistan portray anti-india, now think how many countries are going to piggyback you.

 

[shah1398]

What you have said is absolutely right, but your diplomats certainly failed to do so. Giving lease 100 years to port, CPEC with such high interest, you are only playing in their tunes, just like previously you did with US. China is even more dangerous than US, if you have followed african nations, then i guess you know how local industry got destroyed and everything is chinese. Good luck fighting that.

First of all the history of Pak-China relationship dates back to 1947. We have engaged with each other in every sphere amicably. China had helped us even during the US embargo times and is helping us in energy sector for quite sometime. This much of time of mutual relations is enough to judge the level of friendship and intentions of each other.

Secondly CPEC is just a short route for Chinese products in and out of China. Its not a trade deal whereas China would be flooding our markets with each and everything. If say our textile, sports goods, agriculture etc sector produce stuff that is worth exporting then we shud surely not import these already available things from China. But yes U r right that if we open market for all Chinese products then we are doomed.

You surely can portray anti-anyone, the question is what its going to yield? For ex: Lets say India portray itself anti-china, US and nato will keep supporting India. Now, Lets say Pakistan portray anti-india, now think how many countries are going to piggyback you.

Ofcourse we have our own cards and those can play a balancing factor anyways. Other than China countries like Turkey, Azerbaijan and even Saudi Arabia (and its influence in GCC) are the ones Pakistan can mobilize for that reason.