Musharraf opposes NMD

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MAY 12. Pakistan today came out openly against the National Missile Defence (NMD) programme announced by the Bush Government and said that it was against any action that re- initiates nuclear and missile race in South Asia.

The military ruler and Chief Executive of Pakistan, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, told journalists in the presence of the visiting Chinese Prime Minister, Mr. Zhu Rongji, that Pakistan was in agreement with China on the subject.

It is for the first time since the new Government unveiled its NMD programme that the military Government in Islamabad has given its reaction. Gen. Musharraf was replying to a specific query from a Chinese journalist on the subject at a function where Mr. Rongji planted a sapling.

The significance of the decision of Pakistan to speak out against the NMD at a juncture when Mr. Rongji is on an official tour did not go unnoticed in diplomatic circles.

``Perhaps Pakistan was hesitant all these days to spell out its stand on the subject for fear of antogonising the Bush administration. The presence of the Chinese Prime Minister seems to have provided an opportunity for the military Government to speak out its mind on the subject,'' commented a senior Western diplomat.

``We have commonality of views on all the issues,'' was how Gen. Musharraf put when he was asked to comment on the Bush plans.

Both Gen. Musharraf and Mr. Rongji did not refer to the issue at the joint press conference at the end of their parleys.But later at the banquet hosted in honour of the visiting dignitary, Gen. Musharraf made an indirect reference to the subject.

``We share the international concern at the development and deployment of ballistic missile defence which could jeopardise strategic stability, trigger a new arms race and undermine international efforts aimed at arms control and disarmament.

``We will work together with our Chinese friends in pursuit of our shared goals and further strengthen this model bilateral relationship which remained a vital element for the peace and stability of South Asia and beyond.''

Kashmir issue

Kashmir was the dominant theme of the speech made by Gen. Musharraf. He reiterated Pakistan's desire for a peaceful settlement of the issue and complained about lack of response from India to its offer for a dialogue.

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