N-plants to figure in talks, says Patterson

[Neo]

N-plants to figure in talks, says Patterson

By Anwar Iqbal
Sunday, 21 Mar, 2010

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani talking to US Ambassador Anne W. Patterson who called on him at the Prime Minister House on March 20, 2010. – Photo by APP.

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s request for nuclear power plants may come up for discussion during the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue, which begins in Washington on March 24.

The indications came from two senior US officials, ambassadors Richard Holbrooke and Anne W. Patterson.

Ambassador Patterson, the US envoy in Islamabad, told a Los Angeles-based Pakistani newspaper: “We are beginning to have a discussion with the Pakistan government” on the country’s desire to tap nuclear energy. “We are going to have working level talks” on the issue in Washington this month.

She told the Pakistan Link newspaper that earlier America’s “non-proliferation concerns were quite severe” but attitudes in Washington were changing. “I think we are beginning to pass those and this is a scenario that we are going to explore,” she added.

Mr Holbrooke, the US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, was less categorical but what he said at a briefing on Friday on the US-Pakistan strategic talks conveyed a similar message.

“While addressing Pakistan’s energy needs, are you considering helping them establish nuclear power plants to meet their energy needs?” he was asked.

A transcript released by the State Department on Saturday quoted Mr Holbrooke as saying: “We have a very broad and complex agenda in these talks, and this is the first strategic dialogue ever at this level, and the first of this administration. And we’re going to listen carefully to whatever the Pakistanis say.”

The response marks the first time a US official did not reject the Pakistani request outright. On all previous occasions, US officials insisted that their agreement for supplying nuclear power plants to India was exclusive to New Delhi and could not be offered to another country.

The Washington Post reported earlier this month that the Obama administration was taking several steps to address Pakistani security concerns. “One is to implicitly accept Pakistan’s status as a declared nuclear weapons state and thereby counter conspiracy theories that the United States is secretly plotting to seize Pakistani nukes,” the report said.

Last month, a US scholar wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal backing Pakistan’s demand that the US should negotiate a nuclear deal with Pakistan, as it did with India.

“More so than conventional weapons or large sums of cash, a conditions-based civilian nuclear deal may be able to diminish Pakistani fears of US intentions while allowing Washington to leverage these gains for greater Pakistani cooperation on nuclear proliferation and terrorism,” wrote C. Christine Fair, an assistant professor at Georgetown University.

In her interview to the Link, Ambassador Patterson said the US was acutely conscious of the precarious energy situation in Pakistan, of people “sweating in 120 degree” without electricity, and would play its due role in raising installed generating capacity and making up for the present shortfall. US companies will be persuaded to invest in the power sector in Pakistan.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/...rson-130-hh-04

[Neo]

US says it is open to nuke deal with Pakistan

Chidanand Rajghatta, TNN, Mar 22, 2010

WASHINGTON: Amid reports of massive 16-20 hour power outages across Pakistan causing public unrest, the Barack Obama administration has indicated it is open to Islamabad's plea for a civilian nuclear deal akin to the US-India agreement, notwithstanding continued disquiet about Pakistan's bonafides on the nuclear front.

The first indication of a possible policy shift by US, which had till now rejected Pakistan's entreaties for a nuclear deal, came in an interview the US ambassador to Islamabad, Anne Patterson, gave to a Pakistani-American journal in which she said the two sides were going to have "working level talks" on the subject during a strategic dialogue on March 24.

Patterson confirmed the claim of her Pakistani counterpart in Washington Hussain Haqqani, which were initially denied, that the two sides had had some initial discussions on the subject. Acknowledging that earlier US "non-proliferation concerns were quite severe", she said attitudes in Washington were changing.

"I think we are beginning to pass those and this is a scenario that we are going to explore," she told a LA-based Pakistani journal.

Another top US official, Af-Pak envoy Richard Holbrooke, was a little more circumspect. "We're going to listen carefully to whatever the Pakistanis say," he replied, when asked about Islamabad's demand for a civilian nuclear deal.

The Pakistani establishment, ahead of a wide-ranging strategic dialogue with US on March 24, has made parity with India, including a civilian nuclear deal, the centerpiece of its ramped-up engagement.

Intimations of a change in US policy came even as new reports emerged about the extent and scope of government-backed Pakistani nuclear proliferation in a book by former weapons inspector and non-proliferation activist David Albright. Successive US administrations, in an effort to absolve Islamabad and save it from embarrassment from past misdemeanors, have suggested that the country's nuclear mastermind A Q Khan acted on his own without permission from the Pakistani government or the military, but this assessment is strongly challenged by the non-proliferation community.

Talk of a nuclear deal with Pakistan also comes on the heels of the country signing a gas pipeline deal with Iran last week even as Washington was bearing down on Tehran.

The idea that Pakistan deserves its own nuclear deal to overcome a trust deficit with the United States was first proposed by Georgetown University academic Christine Fair. "More so than conventional weapons or large sums of cash, a conditions-based civilian nuclear deal may be able to diminish Pakistani fears of US intentions while allowing Washington to leverage these gains for greater Pakistani cooperation on nuclear proliferation and terrorism," Fair argued in a newspaper article earlier this year.

However, aside from Pakistan's proliferation footprints and ties with Iran, there is also the small matter of getting such a nuclear deal past the 44-member Nuclear Suppliers Group, which made an exception for India but might find Pakistan more unpalatable. The US-India deal itself remains to be fully implemented more than five years after it was first conceived.

Some experts also question whether Pakistan has the capacity to buy or absorb any nuclear power reactor given that the country is broke. But then, even signaling a shift in US policy is something that might mollify Pakistan for now. In fact, even Fair's recommendations of a conditional nuclear deal was seen in some Pakistani quarters as a conspiracy to penetrate and neutralize the country's nuclear assets.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/w...ow/5709719.cms

[Neo]

Nuclear energy on the table for Pakistan?

March. 22, 2010

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 22 (UPI) -- Washington may consider a civilian nuclear energy package for Pakistan at a major bilateral conference scheduled for the end of the week, U.S. officials said.

Pakistan is on the verge of a major energy crisis. Energy officials said recently that the national energy grid faced shortfalls of more than 4,000 megawatts during peak hours, leaving several parts of the country prone to blackouts.

U.S. and Pakistani officials meet Friday in Washington to discuss what Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy to the region, described at a U.S. State Department briefing as "a very broad and complex agenda."

U.S. diplomats in Islamabad said the talks could include Pakistan's "desire to tap nuclear energy," The Times of India reports.

The move is likely to unsettle strained ties between nuclear foes India and Pakistan. Nuclear security in the region is also a concern as Pakistan struggles to control a Taliban insurgency.

The civilian nuclear energy proposal comes on the heels of a deal between Tehran and Islamabad for a long-delayed natural gas pipeline from the South Pars gas complex in the Persian Gulf.

That could ease some of Pakistan's energy woes when the pipeline goes into operation in 2014, though Washington has expressed concern over any deal that would deliver economic benefits to Iran.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Reso...3191269270058/

[Neo]

India reminds US of Pakistan's clandestine n-proliferation

Calcutta News.Net
Monday 22nd March, 2010 (IANS)

With the US indicating that it is open to Islamabad's plea for a civil nuclear deal, India Monday hoped that Washington would bear in mind Pakistan's record of clandestine proliferation before making such a move.

'I think, the US would always look into the track record of every country with which they are going for certain understanding or signing a treaty,' External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told reporters.

'I am sure that the US will constantly remember that the proliferation of nuclear weapons was because of certain indiscretions of certain countries, and more particularly Pakistan and the clandestine activities which they carried on,' he said.

He added this aspect 'will have to be kept in mind...I am sure the US will'.

Krishna's remarks came in the wake of indications from the US that 'working-level talks on a civil nuclear deal' could take place in Washington March 24 during the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue.

Indicating a significant policy shift, American Ambassador to Islamabad Anne Patterson told a journal in an interview that the US and Pakistan were to have 'working level talks' on the subject during a strategic dialogue on March 24.

Patterson reportedly said that the US was 'beginning to have a discussion with the Pakistan government' on its desire to harness nuclear energy.

Agreeing that earlier US 'non-proliferation concerns were quite severe', she said attitudes in Washington were changing.

'I think we are beginning to pass those and this is a scenario that we are going to explore,' she said.

The envoy's remarks have created apprehensions in India's strategic establishment about the implications of such a move for the country.

India will be keeping a close watch on the forthcoming US-Pakistan strategic dialogue for any hint of a nuclear understanding.

There is need for striking the 'right balance' between Pakistan's needs for energy, and its history of proliferation, said well-placed sources close to the government.

Pakistan has cited the festering power crisis across the country to make a fresh pitch with the US for an India-like nuclear deal.

'We hope international community would strike the right balance between meeting energy needs of any country while taking on board its track record with regard to proliferation of nuclear technology and weapons of mass destruction,' a source said.

Former US president George W. Bush, the prime mover behind the landmark India-US civil nuclear deal, had rejected Pakistan's plea for an India-like nuclear deal during his visit to New Delhi and Islamabad in 2006 on grounds of Islamabad's dubious proliferation record.

US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer, however, declined to comment on the reports.

Unfazed by political opposition to the civil nuclear liability bill within India, the envoy said he was 'optimistic and positive' about completing the nuclear deal with India, but kept quiet on speculation about a similar deal with Pakistan.

'I am working full time on implementing the nuclear deal,' he told reporters here.

'We are optimistic and positive that we are going to complete this in the months ahead,' the US envoy said.

http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/615058

[Araz]

Originally Posted by Neo

India reminds US of Pakistan's clandestine n-proliferation

Calcutta News.Net
Monday 22nd March, 2010 (IANS)

With the US indicating that it is open to Islamabad's plea for a civil nuclear deal, India Monday hoped that Washington would bear in mind Pakistan's record of clandestine proliferation before making such a move.

'I think, the US would always look into the track record of every country with which they are going for certain understanding or signing a treaty,' External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told reporters.

'I am sure that the US will constantly remember that the proliferation of nuclear weapons was because of certain indiscretions of certain countries, and more particularly Pakistan and the clandestine activities which they carried on,' he said.

He added this aspect 'will have to be kept in mind...I am sure the US will'.

Krishna's remarks came in the wake of indications from the US that 'working-level talks on a civil nuclear deal' could take place in Washington March 24 during the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue.

Indicating a significant policy shift, American Ambassador to Islamabad Anne Patterson told a journal in an interview that the US and Pakistan were to have 'working level talks' on the subject during a strategic dialogue on March 24.

Patterson reportedly said that the US was 'beginning to have a discussion with the Pakistan government' on its desire to harness nuclear energy.

Agreeing that earlier US 'non-proliferation concerns were quite severe', she said attitudes in Washington were changing.

'I think we are beginning to pass those and this is a scenario that we are going to explore,' she said.

The envoy's remarks have created apprehensions in India's strategic establishment about the implications of such a move for the country.

India will be keeping a close watch on the forthcoming US-Pakistan strategic dialogue for any hint of a nuclear understanding.

There is need for striking the 'right balance' between Pakistan's needs for energy, and its history of proliferation, said well-placed sources close to the government.

Pakistan has cited the festering power crisis across the country to make a fresh pitch with the US for an India-like nuclear deal.

'We hope international community would strike the right balance between meeting energy needs of any country while taking on board its track record with regard to proliferation of nuclear technology and weapons of mass destruction,' a source said.

Former US president George W. Bush, the prime mover behind the landmark India-US civil nuclear deal, had rejected Pakistan's plea for an India-like nuclear deal during his visit to New Delhi and Islamabad in 2006 on grounds of Islamabad's dubious proliferation record.

US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer, however, declined to comment on the reports.

Unfazed by political opposition to the civil nuclear liability bill within India, the envoy said he was 'optimistic and positive' about completing the nuclear deal with India, but kept quiet on speculation about a similar deal with Pakistan.

'I am working full time on implementing the nuclear deal,' he told reporters here.

'We are optimistic and positive that we are going to complete this in the months ahead,' the US envoy said.

http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/615058

India at the moment is on the political backburner, as the US has realized that it needs pakistan and more importantly its concerns in Afghanistan are genuine. They will tery their best but I dont think it will work as US needs pakistan more at the moment. Pakistan's genuine needs will be met. However, for how long this honey moon lasts is anyone's guess.
Araz

[Neo]

Hillary: Yes, we will discuss N-deal with Pakistan

NDTV Correspondent, Tuesday March 23, 2010, Washington

This week, senior government and army officials from Pakistan are meeting with their American counterparts in Washington. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will hold talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Political analysts say that much of the agenda for the US-Pakistan talks is being set by Pakistan's Army Chief Ashfaq Kayani. So far, Kayani, in Washington for the talks, has met with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In an interview to Express 24/7, a private Pakistani TV channel, Hillary Clinton says among other issues, a civilian nuclear deal will be discussed.

Here are excerpts from that interview to Munizae Jehangir of Express 24/7.

On N-deal with Pakistan

Express 24/7: Pakistan has a lot of expectations from the strategic dialogue, and one of the expectations is that they are hoping to get a civilian nuclear deal similar to the one with India. Now, obviously one of the hindrances is going to be proliferation. But your administration has already vouched that we are no longer doing that. So, are we at least starting to have a dialogue, acknowledging Pakistan's nuclear programme?

Hillary Clinton: Well first let me wish everyone a happy National Day because I know this will air on Pakistan's National Day. Let me also say how pleased we are to have the first of our strategic dialogue meetings in Washington. We have a really broad agenda... and what we try to do in these strategic dialogues is to begin the hard work of sorting through all the different issues that are raised. I'm sure that that's going to be raised and we are going to be considering it but I can't pre-judge the...what the outcome of our discussions will be, except to say that this strategic dialogue is at the highest level we ever had between our two countries. We are very committed to it. We know whatever we do will take time. It's not the kind of commitment that you eagerly produce overnight or even within a year but it is important to get started, to sort it out and to develop the trust and confident between us and between all the people who work in our government because it's not just between me and Foreign Minister Qureshi, it's all the other people who do the work and we will be moving forward, we have our next session in future in Islamabad.

Express 24/7: The reason I asked the nuclear question is simply because we are having these power riots in Pakistan at the moment and we desperately need that kind of power and that help that was given to India. At the same time, our army feels there's a sense of unevenness after you signed the nuclear deal.

Hillary Clinton: Well, I can't speak for anyone else's impressions but that was the result of many, many years of strategic dialogue. It did not happen easily or quickly. And I think on the energy issue specifically, there are more immediate steps that can be taken that have to help with the grid, have to help with the other sources of energy, upgrade power plants and the like. And we are certainly looking at those and we want to help Pakistan with its immediate and long-term energy needs.

http://www.ndtv.com/news/world/hilla...stan-18299.php

[Neo]

Originally Posted by Araz

India at the moment is on the political backburner, as the US has realized that it needs pakistan and more importantly its concerns in Afghanistan are genuine. They will tery their best but I dont think it will work as US needs pakistan more at the moment. Pakistan's genuine needs will be met. However, for how long this honey moon lasts is anyone's guess.
Araz

IIRC we never opposed the 123 agreement between India and USA, all we asked for was parity. But India opposing the deal is nothing surprising, all that talk of "we want a prosper Pakistan" or "a stable Pakistan is what we want" is a lie. She will do all possible to prevent us getting the deal, even if its a waiver to get 2-3 civil nuclear reactors.

[Thunder]

This,indeed, would be a great step in building the confidence of the people of Pakistan,if this deal gets materialized..however,the past negative attitude of the US overshadows the optimism.

[Neo]

Welcome back mate, good to see you active again.

[Neo]

China reacts cautiously to reports of US-Pak nuke cooperation

BEIJING (March 23, 2010): China on Tuesday reacted cautiously to reports that the US is open to help Pakistan tap nuclear energy, saying any such cooperation should fulfill requirements of international non-proliferation commitments.

"We believe that sovereign countries have the right to peacefully use nuclear energy with adequate safeguards," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a media briefing here on Tuesday.

Asked about reports that the US is ready to discuss Pakistan's request for nuclear power plants, he said: "We also believe that such cooperation should fulfill obligations of nuclear cooperation as well as their international commitments". Qin, however, said these reports had only appeared in the media and he cannot confirm it.

http://www.brecorder.com/latestindex...atest_id=11137