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Pallone pats India, snubs Musharraf for denying nuke transfer
Washington, Jan 04: Praising India for its ``open nuclear science programme``, influential US congressman Frank Pallone has lambasted Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for denying his country`s participation in nukes transfer to rogue nations in violation of the international norms.
Washington, Jan 04: Praising India for its ``open nuclear science programme``, influential US congressman Frank Pallone has lambasted Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for denying his country`s participation in nukes transfer to rogue nations in violation of the international norms.
Addressing the US House of Representatives yesterday, the New Jersey Democrat, who founded the Congressional caucus on India and Indian Americans, termed as ``inadequate`` Pakistan`s response to ``serious international violations`` of transferring nuclear weapons to rogue nations.
He said the United States wanted assurances from its ally on the war on terrorism that ``programmes to assist in nuclear proliferation had been terminated.``
General Musharraf was insulating himself when, in fact, he should be proposing steps to ensure the world that ``Pakistan will no longer be participating in such criminal activities``, Pallone told the house.
``Unfortunately, General Musharraf is in denial about his country`s participation in aiding such countries,`` he said, adding ``but the denial must come to a close immediately.``
The same was true about Pakistani fundamentalist infiltration into Kashmir, Pallone said. ``While cold-blooded murders of innocent Kashmiri citizens were taking place on a daily basis, General Musharraf for years kept denying that he was providing anything but moral support to the infiltrators.``
On the other hand, the US Congressman said, India had maintained an open nuclear science programme.
``There were three important ways in which India`s programme is a model to be emulated by Pakistan. India`s programme is defensive in nature, civilian-controlled, and technology is shared in accordance with the international nuclear transfer laws. As a result of India`s nuclear policies, India has a strong defence relationship and science partnership with the United States,`` he said.
Pallone said, ``In order to restore peace and stability in the South Asia region, it is necessary for General Musharraf to take responsibility for its reprehensible actions such as transferring nuclear technology and infiltrating into Kashmir."
``Until General Musharraf is willing to accept responsibility and turn his words into actions, our safety is in jeopardy.`` Bureau Report
Addressing the US House of Representatives yesterday, the New Jersey Democrat, who founded the Congressional caucus on India and Indian Americans, termed as ``inadequate`` Pakistan`s response to ``serious international violations`` of transferring nuclear weapons to rogue nations.
He said the United States wanted assurances from its ally on the war on terrorism that ``programmes to assist in nuclear proliferation had been terminated.``
General Musharraf was insulating himself when, in fact, he should be proposing steps to ensure the world that ``Pakistan will no longer be participating in such criminal activities``, Pallone told the house.
``Unfortunately, General Musharraf is in denial about his country`s participation in aiding such countries,`` he said, adding ``but the denial must come to a close immediately.``
The same was true about Pakistani fundamentalist infiltration into Kashmir, Pallone said. ``While cold-blooded murders of innocent Kashmiri citizens were taking place on a daily basis, General Musharraf for years kept denying that he was providing anything but moral support to the infiltrators.``
On the other hand, the US Congressman said, India had maintained an open nuclear science programme.
``There were three important ways in which India`s programme is a model to be emulated by Pakistan. India`s programme is defensive in nature, civilian-controlled, and technology is shared in accordance with the international nuclear transfer laws. As a result of India`s nuclear policies, India has a strong defence relationship and science partnership with the United States,`` he said.
Pallone said, ``In order to restore peace and stability in the South Asia region, it is necessary for General Musharraf to take responsibility for its reprehensible actions such as transferring nuclear technology and infiltrating into Kashmir."
``Until General Musharraf is willing to accept responsibility and turn his words into actions, our safety is in jeopardy.`` Bureau Report