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Neo · 07-03-2010, 05:53 PM

Discovering nuclear truth in South Asia

EDITORIAL (July 02 2010): Slowly but inexorably, Pakistan's doctrine to maintain nuclear-based, credible, minimum deterrence and strategic restraint responsibly is receiving acceptability from one of its long-held detractors, the United States of America.

Earlier, in April, it was President Obama who conceded that Pakistan's nuclear assets are absolutely safe and secure, kicking aside the much-touted propaganda that these could fall in the hands of terrorists. Now, it is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who has acknowledged Pakistan's right to keep nuclear weapons as deterrence - against possible Indian aggression.

Speaking at the opening session of Aspen Security Forum, on Tuesday, he said: "These are the most important weapons in the Pakistani arsenal...These are their crown jewels". "They [Pakistanis] see a threat in India and [having these weapons] is their deterrent. They see this as a huge part of their national security," he added. Admiral Mullen also went an extra mile to assert that Pakistan's nuclear programme is different from Iran's and North Korea's, who, the Americans believe, are potential proliferators. On the other hand, "Pakistan has made 'extraordinary efforts' to protect its nuclear weapons."

No surprise then, that the United States did not raise any objection to the Chinese plan to build two more nuclear power reactors in Pakistan at the recent meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in New Zealand, greatly disappointing many a traditional detractor of Pakistan's nuclear programme. But Admiral Mullen's exposition takes Pakistan's case of nuclear parity with India still further. Not only did he vouch for the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear programme he also conceded its right to maintain nuclear deterrence.

Having agreed to supply India, a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty like Pakistan, the latest nuclear technology and fissile materials, the United States, of course, doesn't find itself on any moral high ground in opposing similar treatment to Pakistan.

But there is no dearth of lobbies that are still busy turning pages of the NSG primer to come up with some odd provision to oppose the Chinese decision to go ahead with its plan to augment Pakistan's nuclear-generated electricity capacity. Given the fact that the NSG is beset with differences over the question of eligibility for its assistance, thanks to the United States' violation of its code of conduct by signing nuclear co-operation agreement with India, it is our hope that the Group would break free of the anti-Pakistan lobbies' hold and agree to deal with Pakistan on an equal footing with India.

But more importantly, Admiral Mullen's acknowledgement of nuclear reality in South Asia should help the US, and other major stakeholders in global peace, stabilise the region, mainly by shunning discriminatory policies in their dealings with Pakistan and India. The fact is that both Pakistan and India are de facto nuclear states, fully equipped with nuclear weaponry and delivery systems. They are eligible to membership of the so-called Nuclear Club, which if, and when granted, will help them sign the NPT.

The international community should help establish, in this region, Nuclear Risk Reduction Centres (NRRCs), evolve, jointly an acceptable lexicon of 'nuclear terminology', and introduce the lowest-possible alert levels during peace times. The process of firming up CBMs should be speeded up, particularly by including Pakistan's proposal for a strategic restraint regime.

Some of the work in this direction was undertaken under the now-dysfunctional Composite Dialogue, which the United States and others can help retrieve and build upon. The even-handedness, reflected from the statement of Admiral Mike Mullen, is indeed a highly positive development and a step in that direction, stirring hopes that in the coming days, Washington would make more tangible moves in this area of crucial importance to the Pak-US relationship.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

07-03-2010, 05:53 PM	#33 (permalink)
Neo Administrator Lt. General Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 8,954 Thanks: 514 Thanked 447 Times in 371 Posts	Re: More Chinese nuclear reactors for Pakistan Discovering nuclear truth in South Asia EDITORIAL (July 02 2010): Slowly but inexorably, Pakistan's doctrine to maintain nuclear-based, credible, minimum deterrence and strategic restraint responsibly is receiving acceptability from one of its long-held detractors, the United States of America. Earlier, in April, it was President Obama who conceded that Pakistan's nuclear assets are absolutely safe and secure, kicking aside the much-touted propaganda that these could fall in the hands of terrorists. Now, it is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who has acknowledged Pakistan's right to keep nuclear weapons as deterrence - against possible Indian aggression. Speaking at the opening session of Aspen Security Forum, on Tuesday, he said: "These are the most important weapons in the Pakistani arsenal...These are their crown jewels". "They [Pakistanis] see a threat in India and [having these weapons] is their deterrent. They see this as a huge part of their national security," he added. Admiral Mullen also went an extra mile to assert that Pakistan's nuclear programme is different from Iran's and North Korea's, who, the Americans believe, are potential proliferators. On the other hand, "Pakistan has made 'extraordinary efforts' to protect its nuclear weapons." No surprise then, that the United States did not raise any objection to the Chinese plan to build two more nuclear power reactors in Pakistan at the recent meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in New Zealand, greatly disappointing many a traditional detractor of Pakistan's nuclear programme. But Admiral Mullen's exposition takes Pakistan's case of nuclear parity with India still further. Not only did he vouch for the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear programme he also conceded its right to maintain nuclear deterrence. Having agreed to supply India, a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty like Pakistan, the latest nuclear technology and fissile materials, the United States, of course, doesn't find itself on any moral high ground in opposing similar treatment to Pakistan. But there is no dearth of lobbies that are still busy turning pages of the NSG primer to come up with some odd provision to oppose the Chinese decision to go ahead with its plan to augment Pakistan's nuclear-generated electricity capacity. Given the fact that the NSG is beset with differences over the question of eligibility for its assistance, thanks to the United States' violation of its code of conduct by signing nuclear co-operation agreement with India, it is our hope that the Group would break free of the anti-Pakistan lobbies' hold and agree to deal with Pakistan on an equal footing with India. But more importantly, Admiral Mullen's acknowledgement of nuclear reality in South Asia should help the US, and other major stakeholders in global peace, stabilise the region, mainly by shunning discriminatory policies in their dealings with Pakistan and India. The fact is that both Pakistan and India are de facto nuclear states, fully equipped with nuclear weaponry and delivery systems. They are eligible to membership of the so-called Nuclear Club, which if, and when granted, will help them sign the NPT. The international community should help establish, in this region, Nuclear Risk Reduction Centres (NRRCs), evolve, jointly an acceptable lexicon of 'nuclear terminology', and introduce the lowest-possible alert levels during peace times. The process of firming up CBMs should be speeded up, particularly by including Pakistan's proposal for a strategic restraint regime. Some of the work in this direction was undertaken under the now-dysfunctional Composite Dialogue, which the United States and others can help retrieve and build upon. The even-handedness, reflected from the statement of Admiral Mike Mullen, is indeed a highly positive development and a step in that direction, stirring hopes that in the coming days, Washington would make more tangible moves in this area of crucial importance to the Pak-US relationship. Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]