France unsure about Pakistan's nuclear deterrent

[pyromaniac]

France, not sure about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, has decided against supplying nuclear energy technology to it, according to a secret US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks.

According to a cable dated September 3, 2009 disclosed by whistle-blower website and published in Dawn newspaper, French President Nicolas Sarkozy's diplomatic adviser Jean-David Levitte had told US diplomats that the French government was "not sure that the Pakistani nuclear deterrent is secure," especially "with the frequent movement of nuclear weapons by the Pakistani military."

Taliban has stepped-up a violent campaign in Pakistan to avenge Osama bin Laden's killing and has renewed fears that the country's nuclear warheads could be vulnerable.

French defence minister Gerard Longuet had on May 27, in New Delhi expressed his concerns regarding Pakistan, saying "this part of the world needs some clarification and stability as well. India is an old strategic partner... Regarding Pakistan we are waiting for clarifications,".

Longuet, however, had evaded a direct reply on whether France would stop sale of heavy weaponry to Pakistan in the wake of Osama bin Laden being found in Abbottabad.

France unsure about Pakistan's nuclear deterrent: WikiLeaks - The Times of India

I guess the right question is who in their right mind trusts Pakistan...

 

[Armand2REP]

With France canceling sales to Pakistan, it now surpasses the Russian special relationship who supplies JF-17 engines and Mil combat choppers.

 

[Tshering22]

Well that makes another country unsure of nuke safety. After the PNS Mehran incident, nobody can give assurances on what's next.

 

[amitkriit]

With France canceling sales to Pakistan, it now surpasses the Russian special relationship who supplies JF-17 engines and Mil combat choppers.

France was one the few countries which did not condemn India's nuclear tests in 1998. Russia called it a betrayal of trust. Indo-Russian relations are going down after reaching a high during 1970s during Soviet era. I think its always easier to deal with liberal democracies, they are predictable and don't usually over-react.

Back on the topic, Pakistan's nuclear stockpile is a great threat to world peace, because of the fragile nature of the state of Pakistan. We don't need to wait for the disintegration/fall of Pakistan, we know well that hardliners have infiltrated the state machinery, they can do things under the nose of the government.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Does Pakistan have money for french nuclear tech?? This is a good way to avoid the Pakistani soft loan BS that China has fell for.