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Pakistan Says Nuclear Arsenal Safe From Extremists
Pakistan said its nuclear materials are under strict control and dismissed concerns that they might fall into the hands of religious extremists. "Pakistan has an impeccable record of custodial safety and security, free of any incident of theft or leakage of nuclear material, equipment or technology," Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar told a news conference Thursday.
He was responding to international concerns that Islamic extremists could seize the control of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Islamic groups are staging nationwide demonstrations to protest President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's pro-U.S. policy in the global war against terrorism.
The groups are outraged because of the U.S. air attacks against the ruling Taliban, who have refused to hand over Osama bin Laden �� the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist strikes in the United States.
Sattar said that a vast majority of the Pakistanis support the government's policy. "Moderate and rational, they understand that our policy is founded in principal of law and world consensus, and it serves the national interest," he said.
Pakistan conducted underground nuclear explosions in May 1998 following similar tests by India. Pakistan says the tests were vital to maintain the strategic balance between the two rival nations, which have fought three wars since they were carved out of British India in 1947.
Sattar said Pakistani armed forces are professional, disciplined and known for their institutional strength. "Any apprehension that the assets might fall into the hands of the extremists is entirely imaginary �� a product partly of distortion caused by TV images magnifying the sights and sounds of protesters," he said.
He said the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has an "unblemished record of safety and security" of the nuclear power plants and other civilian projects. These nuclear installations are under safeguards and subject to periodic inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency, he said.
Pakistan, which started its nuclear program in 1974, says that especially equipped forces guard its nuclear installations.
"A Strategic Force Command has been established for each of the three armed services. Clear chains of responsibility have been prescribed and enforced to ensure that strategic weapons cannot be deployed without due authorization," Sattar said. "Stringent measures have been enforced to minimize risks of accidental, unintentional or unauthorized launch."
Pakistan established a Strategic Plans Division in February 2000 to safeguard nuclear materials.
The National Command Authority, chaired by the president, oversees its operations.
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