India-IAEA accord precedent for Pakistan, says FO
* Sadiq says Pakistan interested in seeking access to civilian nuclear energy
ISLAMABAD: The India-International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguard agreement had set a precedent for other countries including Pakistan to enter into similar agreements to meet their energy needs, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.
The statement of IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei and of other IAEA officials confirm the precedent setting nature of the Indian safeguards agreement, and the agreement could serve as a model for other states, who may wish to conclude similar agreements, FO spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said.
Addressing a weekly briefing, the spokesman said that Pakistan was interested in seeking international co-operation to access technology for civilian nuclear energy. He said criteria-based approach would enable Pakistan to access civil nuclear energy under safeguards to meet its growing energy needs.
Governors of the United Nations nuclear watchdog approved Indias draft plan for inspections of its civilian atomic reactors on last Friday, a precondition for launching a deal to obtain US nuclear fuel and technology.
To questioning on Dr Aafia Siddiqui, Sadiq said Pakistan had asked for consular access and medical assistance to Dr Siddiqui. The consular access will be granted at the earliest, he said, adding the government was committed to bringing back all Pakistani detainees including Dr Siddiqui.
He said the US authorities informed Pakistan about Dr Siddiquis custody on July 17, and she was transferred to the US on August 3. I do not know if Dr Aafia Siddiqui was kept at Bagram. On our approach we were assured by the US that she was not in Bagram. Bagram, as you know, is a US army facility. He said the government was still unaware of where her children were. We are still trying to find these facts, he said.
The spokesman said the proposed $ 15 billion US aid would not affect military assistance to Pakistan. I do not see any link between this assistance and the position of 18 new F-16s, he said.
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