Pak says Indo-US N-deal-like policies may destabilise South Asia
9 Oct 2008, 1629 Hrs

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Washington, Oct 9 Pakistan has indirectly hit out at the just concluded Indo-US nuclear deal, saying such policies that create nuclear disparities in South Asia could destabilise the region and the entire world too.

Pakistan permanent representative at the UN?s European headquarters in Geneva, Zamir Akram said this in his address to the UN General Assembly?s First Committee.

?Policies that create nuclear disparities in our region and reinforce the discriminatory approach towards Pakistan can only contribute to exacerbating strategic asymmetries that would destabilise the entire region and indeed the world,? the Daily Times quoted him as saying.

He added: ?Such an arrangement, driven by profit motives rather than any real non-proliferation gains, would in fact encourage further proliferation. It would have been more constructive to have promoted a level playing field for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under appropriate safeguards through an objective, non-discriminatory criteria-based approach. Notwithstanding the grave implications of the discriminatory regime that is to be implemented in South Asia, Pakistan will continue to act with responsibility in maintaining its minimum credible deterrence and to avoid an arms race. However, we will neither be oblivious to our security requirements nor to the needs of our economic development.?

Akram said because of the weakening of the consensus underpinning disarmament and non-proliferation, there are clear differences of perspective, approach and modalities among states to promote international and regional peace and security through disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.

He said, ?Discriminatory and short sighted policies for access to nuclear technology, for narrow gains, in disregard of any equitably applicable criteria, has further undermined the international non-proliferation regime and detracts from its credibility and legitimacy. This is compounded by the clear possibility of such arrangements leading to diversion of nuclear material for military purposes.? (ANI)