Pakistan seeks non-discriminatory access to civil nuclear technology
13 April, 2010
WASHINGTON: Pakistan on Monday called for non-discriminatory access to civil nuclear technology to meet the country’s exponentially growing energy needs, and reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear security, at a major summit of world leaders. Spelling out its nuclear policy in a national statement at the Nuclear Security Summit, Pakistan welcomed US President Obama’s call for security of nuclear material, and hoped the summit would be a catalyst to foster a nuclear security culture around the world. “Pakistan has more than 35 years of experience in running nuclear power plants. With trained professional manpower and a strong nuclear safety and security culture, Pakistan fully qualifies for participation in civil nuclear cooperation at the international level,” said Islamabad in the statement. The statement articulated Pakistan’s support for the renewed international interest in nuclear power generation to meet the challenge of climate change. Separately, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani called on the Obama administration to adopt a “non-discriminatory approach” in providing Pakistan access to civil nuclear technology. He said such cooperation would facilitate more productive and result-oriented Pakistan-US engagement. “We are satisfied with the outcome of the recently concluded round of strategic dialogue with the US. I, however, believe that there is still the need and space for improvement in the current level of our engagement to make it more result-oriented,” said Gilani in an interaction with the American media on the sidelines of the summit. “Pakistan rightfully expects the US to adopt [a] non-discriminatory approach for a civil nuclear deal with Islamabad,” Gilani emphasized. “The objectives of nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security would be better served if a policy of non-discrimination is adopted across the globe for peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” he said, and highlighted the energy crisis in this context. “Our energy needs are growing with every passing day, and we are already running against time to explore viable options to meet the energy demands for our socio-economic development. Civil nuclear power generation is, therefore, an essential requirement of our national energy security strategy,” said the prime minister. Earlier, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani got an unexpected and welcome boost on Sunday evening when President Barack Obama showered special praise on him while discussing the constitutional developments in Pakistan, saying: “You have increased in your stature.” Mr Gilani was elated by the comment and at a private meeting with me in his special suite at the Four Seasons Hotel, he felt it was a tribute to Pakistani democracy. In our meeting, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Ambassador Husain Haqqani and his wife Farahnaz were also present. While most of our talk was off the record, Mr Gilani looked very confident and was beaming with the impression that most of the US and western concerns about Pakistan and its nuclear programme had been removed and it was now smooth sailing for Islamabad. He specially noted that the body language of the US president was very cordial and friendly. Even the flags of the two countries were placed in a way that Obama was sitting in front of the Pakistani flag and Mr Gilani before the US. When I wanted to know whether this was a ‘work in progress’ or whether in his view actually Pakistan had crossed this huge psychological barrier, Mr Gilani thought for a while and then his considered answer was: “We have crossed this obstacle.” At another point in our discussion the prime minister said issues like Dr AQ Khan were no more raised, there was no talk of “do more” from the US side and Mr Obama was very happy with the progress that had been achieved by the Pakistan military in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan. “They cannot believe that we solved the huge problem of 2.5 million displaced persons who returned to their homes in just two months. Everyone thought it would take years. This is probably a world record. They believe that Pakistan has made a lot of sacrifices and they recognise it.” Mr Gilani was also asked about the political developments in Pakistan, specially whether he thought the 18th Amendment Bill will pass through the Senate as easily as it did in the lower house. On this, he was confident but at one point he said he would go to the Senate and be there as soon as he returns to Pakistan from the US. This indicated that he expected the Senate debate to continue for a few days as he will be landing in Islamabad not before the morning of April 15. But if the bill is passed before he returns, it will be a bonus. During Mr Gilani’s interaction with the media on Sunday evening at the hotel dinner, he wanted to speak out and not just leave the talking to the experts, the diplomats or the Foreign Ministry people. Two persons got his unusual attention. He was specially impressed with Mr Masood Khan, Pakistan’s ambassador to China who has been handling the negotiations and the talks on the nuclear summit on behalf of Pakistan. The PM was also interested in talking to Dr Maleeha Lodhi, the former ambassador to the US and the UK and called her twice, once at the dinner table and again in his suite for a private discussion. In our discussion, the PM was asked by me how and in what language President Obama had raised the issues which PM Dr Manmohan Singh had pointed out about Pakistan. Mr Gilani’s answer was revealing. He said Obama did not raise these issues himself but it was when our side talked about the bilateral relations, Mr Obama, just in passing, mentioned that Dr Singh had also come to see him and was talking about the two things which, if resolved, could help India and Pakistan get on the track to discussing their problems and making progress. This way Mr Gilani did not see the Obama remarks as any message he was conveyed on behalf of the Indians. His perception was that the Indian points of concern were just discussed in passing and if he had not talked about India-Pakistan relations, Mr Obama would not have mentioned them. On being asked several times what Pakistan expected from the high profile nuclear summit in Washington, Gilani was of the opinion that by inviting Pakistan to the summit it has been recognised and conceded that we are a responsible nuclear nation. “Even President Obama made a statement two days back that Pakistan’s nuclear assets are secure, so we have achieved the basic point already. But we are here to safeguard our national interest in any way required.” After meeting President Obama, Hillary Clinton and other US leaders, Gilani was still of the view that while the US leadership was trying to help and support Pakistan the perception of the Pakistani people about America was still very low and negative and there has to be some serious image building to change this view. “They are helping us in projects which will take months and years to complete but they need some shock therapy to shake and better their image. Like if they had released Dr Aafia Siddiqui, it would have created a huge ground swell of support and goodwill.” But in another context Mr Gilani asked whether it was not strange that Dr Aafia’s daughter suddenly appeared at the doorstep of her house. “Should we also expect that some day Dr Aafia will also be found knocking her own door,” he asked in a lighter vein. I left our meeting with the PM on the 4th floor with the impression that while Mr Gilani would not discuss the details he has clearly asked the Americans to take some big steps to help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis and do something quickly to make a difference which people can feel on the streets. That is how they can improve their image, he believes. But he also agrees that the energy issue was mishandled by his own water and power minister which cost him and his government a lot of political capital and damaged image. End.
|
