ISLAMABAD, 5 March 2004 — Britain is satisfied with Pakistan’s cooperation in investigating nuclear proliferation by its chief nuclear scientist, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said yesterday.
“What’s important is that we learn a lesson from what has happened and take action to ensure that there isn’t such similar proliferation in future,” Straw told a press conference after an hour-long meeting with President Pervez Musharraf.
“But I am satisfied about the progress which the Pakistani authorities are making and the cooperation which they are providing to the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
Straw heaped praise on Musharraf for his determination in the “war on terror” and for reopening peace talks with nuclear rival India. He told the news conference he had “full and thorough” discussions with Musharraf on non-proliferation.
Referring to the decision to pardon Khan after his admission, Straw said this was a matter for the Pakistani authorities. “But I am satisfied with the progress the Pakistani authorities are making and the cooperation which they are providing to the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
Straw expressed condolences for victims of a bloody attack on Shiite Muslims in city of Quetta on Tuesday in which at least 47 people died, underscoring the difficulties faced by Musharraf in his crackdown on militancy.
“This is a war by terrorists on the whole of the civilized world on people of every religion,” he said. “This is a scourge and evil we have to deal with.”
Straw said Musharraf had shown “astonishing personal courage” in his work to bring regional peace, particularly in his initiative with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to resume a broad dialogue.
