Pakistan

Pakistan demands US nuclear deal

On October 2nd the American lawmakers overturned a three decade ban on atomic trade with India. This now gives Delhi access to US civilian fuel and nuclear technology in exchange for inspections of only their civilian facilities. However, Pakistan is now also demanding a civilian nuclear agreement with America in the wake of its regional rival’s deal with the US.

In recent years Pakistan has opposed any type of deal that would give India access to US nuclear technology, claiming it would start an arms race not only between the two countries, but throughout the region. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani stated that it was only fair that now America also makes a civilian nuclear deal with them, so there is a balance of power between the states. In 2004 Pakistan’s top nuclear scientist admitted to leaking nuclear secrets to Libya, Iran and North Korea, and although he later retracted this statement in 2008, the US is still untrusting and will most likely reject any type of deal request. Clearly Pakistan is now feeling a threat to their own national security since their main regional rival has been granted the ability to advance their nuclear arms with the aid of the United States while they are left on their own. Now that India has the ability to build weapons that they could potentially use against them, they are feeling pressure to do anything to build up defenses. This scenario brings back thoughts of when in 1998 Pakistan first became a nuclear power, in response to underground device tests being conducted by India. This struggle for power between the two states may drive Pakistan to look to the Chinese for help with their civilian nuclear technology

Realist

http://www.gulfnews.com/aboutus/gulfnews/index.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7645522.stm

October 2, 2008 at 8:32 pm