Britain appeals to India, Pak to sign NPT
PTI 16 July 2009, 07:13pm IST
LONDON: Britain on Thursday appealed to India and Pakistan to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, saying that it would lead them to have the
"same inalienable rights" of secure access to atomic power that other signatories to the pact enjoy.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown released a detailed plan of action by the UK -- in partnership with other countries -- to address the key global nuclear challenges in the run up to next year's NPT review conference.
"India and Pakistan have both tested and developed significant nuclear weapons capabilities," the government's 'The Road to 2010' report said.
"It is in the long term interests of regional and global security for India and Pakistan to commence a process that will enable them to engage in the global disarmament framework," it said.
Initial steps might be to increase transparency on current and future programmes, a joint commitment to cease to develop new nuclear weapon capabilities and to work with the international community "to further enhance the security of their respective nuclear installations," the report said.
"Entering into the NPT framework would lead to them receiving the same inalienable rights to have secure access to nuclear power that other states party to the NPT enjoy, without undermining provision for their national security," it added.
We must work globally both to establish the security conditions that will enable a world free from nuclear weapons and to overcome the technical and policy challenges associated with the complete abolition of nuclear weapons," Brown said in a statement.
He said Britain would spend 20 million pounds over five years to help states develop civilian nuclear power programmes while ensuring the technology could not be used for weapons.
"The world needs a renewed global bargain on nuclear for a safer world. We also need this renewed deal for our prosperity and so that we can combat climate change and to secure the energy supply we need," Brown said.
He noted that next year's Review Conference gives the opportunity to "renew and re-invigorate the bargain" at the heart of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"For nuclear weapon states, this bargain means we have a responsibility to show leadership on the question of disarmament and being at the forefront of developing global solutions to allow wider and safe access to civil nuclear power. For non-nuclear weapon states the bargain means continuing to forego nuclear weapons, while accessing -- if they wish -- civil nuclear power," he said.
Brown also said the UK and the international community stand ready to help Iran achieve a peaceful civil nuclear programme, but will do everything they can to prevent weapons proliferation.
Britain appeals to India, Pak to sign NPT - India - NEWS - The Times of India
PTI 16 July 2009, 07:13pm IST
LONDON: Britain on Thursday appealed to India and Pakistan to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, saying that it would lead them to have the
"same inalienable rights" of secure access to atomic power that other signatories to the pact enjoy.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown released a detailed plan of action by the UK -- in partnership with other countries -- to address the key global nuclear challenges in the run up to next year's NPT review conference.
"India and Pakistan have both tested and developed significant nuclear weapons capabilities," the government's 'The Road to 2010' report said.
"It is in the long term interests of regional and global security for India and Pakistan to commence a process that will enable them to engage in the global disarmament framework," it said.
Initial steps might be to increase transparency on current and future programmes, a joint commitment to cease to develop new nuclear weapon capabilities and to work with the international community "to further enhance the security of their respective nuclear installations," the report said.
"Entering into the NPT framework would lead to them receiving the same inalienable rights to have secure access to nuclear power that other states party to the NPT enjoy, without undermining provision for their national security," it added.
We must work globally both to establish the security conditions that will enable a world free from nuclear weapons and to overcome the technical and policy challenges associated with the complete abolition of nuclear weapons," Brown said in a statement.
He said Britain would spend 20 million pounds over five years to help states develop civilian nuclear power programmes while ensuring the technology could not be used for weapons.
"The world needs a renewed global bargain on nuclear for a safer world. We also need this renewed deal for our prosperity and so that we can combat climate change and to secure the energy supply we need," Brown said.
He noted that next year's Review Conference gives the opportunity to "renew and re-invigorate the bargain" at the heart of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"For nuclear weapon states, this bargain means we have a responsibility to show leadership on the question of disarmament and being at the forefront of developing global solutions to allow wider and safe access to civil nuclear power. For non-nuclear weapon states the bargain means continuing to forego nuclear weapons, while accessing -- if they wish -- civil nuclear power," he said.
Brown also said the UK and the international community stand ready to help Iran achieve a peaceful civil nuclear programme, but will do everything they can to prevent weapons proliferation.
Britain appeals to India, Pak to sign NPT - India - NEWS - The Times of India
