COPY OF HIGH COMMISSIONER’S LETTER

COPY OF HIGH COMMISSIONER’S LETTER

TO THE EDITOR OF SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

 

No. Pol. 28/96-00 4 March, 2003

 

Dear Editor,

This is with reference to Mike Seccombe’s comments "PM’s Pakistan pin-up is a poor choice" (Sydney Morning Herald, 4 March, 2003).

2. The allegations which are totally baseless, motivated and malicious, were earlier on made by the US media in October, 2002 and were categorically refuted by President General Pervez Musharraf, who had reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and stated that Pakistan was not cooperating with any country, including North Korea. Pakistan’s commitment, affirmed at the highest level that it would not export any sensitive technologies to third countries remains unquestionable.

3. The US Secretary of State Colin Powell, during his interview with the NBC and ABC on 20 October 2002, had clearly stated that the President of Pakistan had assured him that Pakistan was not doing anything of that nature and that he had taken his word for it. Similar views were also expressed by the US National Security Adviser in an interview with the CNN. It is, therefore, clear that the US leadership did not give any weightage to the baseless and speculative allegations, leveled against Pakistan by the US media.

4. It is re-emphasized that Pakistan is fully aware of its responsibilities and is firmly committed not to share its nuclear technology, equipment etc. with any other country. Pakistan firmly believes in nuclear non-proliferation and would continue to work for promoting global as well as regional non-proliferation.

Yours sincerely,

(Khizar Hayat Khan Niazi)

High Commissioner

1. Mr. Sam North

The Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney.

2. The Incharge

"Letters to the Editor",

The Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney