News
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Legitimacy of Pak nuclear programme recognised: Gilani* PM says Islamabad effectively communicated its viewpoint
* ‘Friends’ realise Pakistan working in interest of world peace
* Hillary says US will help Pak overcome economic difficultiesWASHINGTON: Pakistan’s participation in the Nuclear Security Summit and the confidence of the international community in the safety of Pakistani custodial controls has boosted the legitimacy of the country’s nuclear programme, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday.
“Pakistan’s participation in the summit itself brings [a higher degree of] legitimacy to our nuclear programme,” Gilani told Pakistani journalists at the conclusion of the two-day conference. He described his visit to Washington as “successful”.
He said the negative impressions surrounding Pakistan’s nuclear programme were “effectively quashed” when Obama voiced his administration’s firm confidence in the “safety of our nuclear safeguards”.
“Our nuclear programme is in safe hands, and President Obama is totally convinced that our command-and-control system is undoubtedly effective.”
Gilani noted that of the 47 nations represented at the summit, “not even a single head of state ... raised concern over Pakistan’s nuclear programme, which is a great victory”. The prime minister said Islamabad had effectively communicated its point of view at the summit.
Global peace: About Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate extremism, he said, “Our friends realise that Pakistan is working in the interest of [global] peace and security ... and want to see improvement in Indo-Pak relations.” Separately, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator John Kerry called on Gilani before he left for Pakistan.
Hillary assured Gilani the US would stand by Pakistan in efforts to overcome economic difficulties, especially the energy crisis. She said she would try to visit Pakistan in July rather than October. Kerry assured Gilani of the US congressional leadership’s support in providing Pakistan greater access to American markets, meeting defence requirements and accommodating the request for nuclear power generation. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk