- ISLAMABAD: The government
on Tuesday totally rejected reports about Pakistan's nuclear weapons being
in danger of being disarmed as claimed a US newspaper.
At a joint briefing at the Foreign Office, military spokesman Maj-Gen Rashid
Qureshi said: "This report is totally baseless and ridiculous. The
statement by New Yorker just shows how ignorant they are of the procedure
and have little idea of the system involved to safeguard (these nuclear
weapons). There is no question of anyone attacking or coming close to them."
When asked about reports that three Pakistani nuclear scientists had been
handed over to American security agencies, the military spokesman once
again brushed aside these reports. "Sultan Bashir retired in 1998
and then became involved with an NGO. In the process he had been to Afghanistan
and certain questions are being asked from him about this and this process
of questioning him is continuing. He is not under arrest but is presently
unwell and in hospital," the military spokesman said.
He added that the questioning was in line with the policy of trying to
identify people running NGOs and Bashir was being asked as to why he had
travelled into Afghanistan. He said that Bashir was not working in the
making of nuclear weapons when he was in service.
"Apparently he was involved in some land development research and
as poppy (was not being cultivated inside Afghanistan) his efforts were
to look for substitute crops," the military spokesman said.
The spokesman to a query said that the KKH problems where tribesmen had
laid siege for several days would be resolved today. "A thirty-member
Shoora is holding talks with the government and we hope to resolve the
problem today," he said.
When asked what the problem was since the Secretary NWFP had been quoted
on PTV as saying that there was no problem, but the federal government
was saying that talks were going on, the military spokesman replied: "There
are two issues. Some days back some people took over the airbase at Chilas,
which is not being used and is deserted. If someone is sitting on it, I
am not aware. The second issue is that some people had occupied areas disrupting
traffic and talks are going on and things look hopeful."
To a question regarding Pakistan's efforts for reconstruction and rehabilitation
of Afghanistan when at the moment it was part of the international coalition,
which was bombing and destroying Afghanistan, the military spokesman replied,
"It is unfair to say that Pakistan is bombing the Afghan nation or
the Afghan people. We are against terrorism. But I do agree that there
is collateral damage and civilian casualties are increasing. Pakistan is
committed to the welfare of the Afghans."
Earlier, the Foreign Office spokesman said that Afghanistan had suffered
over 20 years and its infrastructure was completely destroyed. He said
that unless there was no reconstruction the Afghan refugees inside Pakistan
would find no incentive to return.
To another question, the FO spokesman said that saying that "moderate
Taliban" were no longer part of Pakistan's Afghan policy, since there
was no mention of them by the spokesman in his remarks, he replied, "This
is a leading question,. I did not mention any special groups. For the political
process there should be representation of all Afghans."
He said that the special envoy of the UN secretary-general for Afghanistan,
Lakhdar Brahimi, in his meeting with President Pervez Musharraf did not
indicate any time-frame for a broad- based Afghan government.
To a question whether there was pressure from the UNHCR on Pakistan to
open its borders for Afghan refugees, the spokesman said that there was
greater understanding by the UNHCR High Commissioner, Rudd Lubbers, that
help could be provided to the Afghans within their own borders.
"There is no other example in the world of refugees like those inside
Pakistan. According to the UN, there are at least five to six million people
who are vulnerable. Such a large group cannot go to another country. The
more prudent and economic way would be to assist them in their homes. Camps
can be put up inside Afghanistan away from the conflict".
APP adds: In reply to a question about President Musharraf's meetings with
politicians, Gen Rashid Qureshi dispelled the impression that any idea
of change in the government set-up was being discussed.
"There is no question of change in the government. The president's
meetings with politicians are part of consultation process," he said.
Gen Rashid said that the president had very clearly stated that general
elections in the country would be held according to the road-map in the
year 2002.
To a question, FO Spokesman Aziz Mohammad Khan said that Pakistan had always
desired to resolve the core issue of Kashmir and all other outstanding
issues with India through dialogue. Gen Rashid Qureshi said Pakistan is
not responsible for increasing the tension in the region, "It is India
doing all that."
"We have taken minimum defensive measures," he said while responding
to a question about Indian designs in the region. To a question about a
meeting held to review the internal security today, Gen Rashid said the
meeting was held to discuss certain proposals, which we need to implement
for security reasons after Bahawalpur's incident. He reiterated that people
involved in the Bahawalpur's incident would be traced and brought to justice
whether they were from neighbouring country or from here.
http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2001-daily/31-10-2001/main/main4.htm
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