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Nuclear assets in safe custody: Musharraf
Washington, June 27: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has asserted his country`s commitment to non-proliferation and sought to allay fears of its nuclear assets falling into wrong hands.
Washington, June 27: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has asserted his country's commitment to non-proliferation and sought to allay fears of its nuclear assets falling into wrong hands.
"We are committed to non-proliferation, we are not proliferating at all, our strategic assets are under excellent strong custodial control, there is no chance of this apprehension of the world that they will fall into wrong hands," Musharraf told reporters here.
On Pakistan's reported nuclear assistance to North Korea, the General said that he did not have any proof that Islamabad had ever supplied nuclear technology to Pyongyang.
"In the conventional or the unconventional side we have no linkages whatsoever between Pakistan and North Korea. It's story of the past, we have closed this chapter," he said.
Musharraf also assured that no nuclear technology transfers would take place between Pakistan and North Korea.
"I would like to guarantee, as far as I am concerned that in future, Pakistan will never proliferate its nuclear technology," he said.
On the issue of recognising Israel, Musharraf said Pakistan may review its policy towards Tel Aviv if the Middle East peace process moves towards a resolution.
"If this peace process makes progress and moves forward towards resolution, then Pakistan certainly needs to reconsider its policy towards Israel," he said.
Refusing to give a time frame for recognition of Israel, the Pakistani General said that a national consensus was needed before deciding on the issue.
Bureau Report
"We are committed to non-proliferation, we are not proliferating at all, our strategic assets are under excellent strong custodial control, there is no chance of this apprehension of the world that they will fall into wrong hands," Musharraf told reporters here.
On Pakistan's reported nuclear assistance to North Korea, the General said that he did not have any proof that Islamabad had ever supplied nuclear technology to Pyongyang.
"In the conventional or the unconventional side we have no linkages whatsoever between Pakistan and North Korea. It's story of the past, we have closed this chapter," he said.
Musharraf also assured that no nuclear technology transfers would take place between Pakistan and North Korea.
"I would like to guarantee, as far as I am concerned that in future, Pakistan will never proliferate its nuclear technology," he said.
On the issue of recognising Israel, Musharraf said Pakistan may review its policy towards Tel Aviv if the Middle East peace process moves towards a resolution.
"If this peace process makes progress and moves forward towards resolution, then Pakistan certainly needs to reconsider its policy towards Israel," he said.
Refusing to give a time frame for recognition of Israel, the Pakistani General said that a national consensus was needed before deciding on the issue.
Bureau Report