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Pakistan hails 'historic' nuclear tests 10 years on
Islamabad (AFP) May 28, 2008 Pakistan hailed the tenth anniversary of its first nuclear tests on Wednesday, saying it marked a decade of "responsibility and restraint" by the Islamic world's only atomic power. The foreign ministry issued a statement marking the anniversary of the detonations on May 28, 1998, which were carried out in response to nuclear tests by regional rival India and caused worldwide alarm. "It was a historic day in the nation's quest for security," the statement said of the tests. "Pakistan has taken its responsibilities as a nuclear weapon state seriously. We have not relented in our pursuit for creating a peaceful global and regional environment," it added. The anniversary comes amid continuing concerns about the security of politically unstable Pakistan's estimated arsenal of around 50 atomic weapons and about its role in nuclear proliferation. The UN atomic watchdog chief voiced concern in January over the possibility that its warheads could fall into extremist hands, while a US intelligence report warned in March of "vulnerabilities" in the army's control of them. International investigators meanwhile want to question Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, who admitted in 2004 that he passed secrets to Iran, North Korea and Libya. Khan remains under house arrest in Islamabad. The foreign ministry however said that Pakistan had set up an elaborate nuclear command and control mechanism in February 2000 and had also established strong export control mechanisms which met international standards. Pakistan was "opposed to a nuclear arms race in South Asia", referring to relations with India, with whom Islamabad launched a slow-moving peace process in January 2000. The statement also said Pakistan had also endeavoured to "promote the cause of peace, disarmament and non-proliferation". But it added: "While continuing to act with responsibility and avoiding an arms race, Pakistan will neither be oblivious to its security requirements, nor to the needs of its economic development." Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
McCain wants nuclear talks with China, Russia
Washington (AFP) May 27, 2008Republican presidential candidate John McCain Tuesday pledged to launch a new dialogue with China and Russia to reduce nuclear weapons and proliferation, and backed a US-India civil nuclear pact. |
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