Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ISLAMABAD2285
2009-09-18 14:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

PAKISTAN WILL OBSERVE CTBT CONFERENCE, BUT

Tags:  PARM KNNP PREL KTBT PGOV MNUC PK 
pdf how-to read a cable
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INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0894
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002285 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019
TAGS: PARM KNNP PREL KTBT PGOV MNUC PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN WILL OBSERVE CTBT CONFERENCE, BUT
CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE INDIAN NUCLEAR TESTS

REF: STATE 95946

Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002285

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019
TAGS: PARM KNNP PREL KTBT PGOV MNUC PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN WILL OBSERVE CTBT CONFERENCE, BUT
CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE INDIAN NUCLEAR TESTS

REF: STATE 95946

Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)


1. (C) PolOff raised GOP participation in the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Article XIV Conference (reftel) with
MFA Disarmament Director General Irfan Yusuf Shami on
September 18. Shami reported that Pakistan will be an
observer at the conference, as it has been since 1998. He
indicated that an officer from the Pakistani mission in New
York probably would represent the GOP. Although he welcomed
the offer of bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the
conference, he did not believe Pakistan would be represented
at an appropriate level.


2. (C) Shami stated that the GOP is worried about signals
from India that it is considering a new round of nuclear
explosive tests. These signals, coupled with the recent
launch by India of a nuclear-powered submarine and its
ongoing investment in anti-ballistic missile systems,
suggests an arms race in progress, he asserted. Reiterating
previous remarks by Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi that
Pakistan would not automatically follow a tit-for-tat policy
should India test, Shami expressed concern at the possibility
that India would conduct new nuclear tests and then
immediately sign the CTBT. "Such a scenario would be
extremely difficult for Pakistan," he said. He urged the USG
to pressure New Delhi to not conduct new nuclear tests.


3. (C) Comment: Shami's statements reveal some concern in
Islamabad about Pakistan's strategic position vis-a-vis
India. Earlier, in the context of U.S. and allied demarches
on the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty, GOP officials had
expressed dismay about India's nuclear submarine launch,
arguing that it changes the strategic equation on the
sub-continent. With the advent of the nuclear testing debate
in India, the concerns in Islamabad appear to have ratcheted
up a degree, such that Foreign Minister Qureshi decided to
weigh in on September 9 saying Pakistan is "disturbed" by the
reports from India, but "Pakistan is capable of protecting
its interests." While a repeat of the May 1998 nuclear tests
seems remote at this juncture, Pakistani concerns bear
further watching. End comment.
PATTERSON