Pak. will not be the first to resume n-tests: Sattar

By P. S. Suryanarayana

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 28. The imperative of ``peace'' in a ``nuclearised South Asia'' was advocated by many members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) at its ``in camera'' deliberations here today. The sense of urgency on this score was traced to a ``widespread concern'' among the members over the continuing tensions in South Asia that ``could escalate with horrible consequences.''

Indicating this, the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, told this correspondent that he had, during bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of other OIC member-states on the sidelines of the main conference, ``informed'' them of ``Pakistan's commitment to the policy of responsibility and restraint on nuclear issues.'' Pakistan, he told them, was not the first to conduct nuclear tests in 1998 and it ``will not be the first to resume nuclear tests in future.''

Noting that many participants at the ongoing 27th session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers had talked about the need for a dialogue between India and Pakistan, he said his country could not enter into parleys all alone. He told them of Gen. Pervez Musharraf's offer of ``a purposeful dialogue'' with India ``any time, any place, any level.'' Pakistan, they were told, would have to ``wait for India to make up its mind.''On the need for parleys with India at this stage, Mr. Sattar said one of the reasons was traceable to the United Nations Security Council's call for it in 1998. The other reason was the pledge by India and Pakistan themselves for ``intensification of efforts for settlement of outstanding issues including the Kashmir issue.''

`Support for Kashmiris demand'

On today's deliberations by the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir, Mr. Sattar said it ``endorsed the demand of the people of Kashmir for an opportunity to exercise their right of self-determination.'' The group, which heard about the move by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on the Indian side ``endorsed the ideas expressed by the All Party Hurriyat Conference'' that this legislative body ``is not representative and has no locus standi to undermine the demand of the people of Kashmir for self- determination.''

The Contact Group meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of Niger, Pakistan and Turkey and a senior official of Saudi Arabia. The meeting was presided over by the OIC Secretariat and presentations were made by the ``Prime Minister'' of ``Azad Kashmir'' (``Pakistan-occupied Kashmir'' in Indian parlance) and a ``representative'' of the APHC.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Deny equal status to military rulers: Annan
Next     : Solheim meets Sri Lankan Tamil leaders