The US State Department has voiced confidence in the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, and also welcomed Islamabad’s reaffirmation of commitment to objectives of disarmament and non-proliferation.
The State Department’s statement came in the wake of a report in The Washington Post this week, which said the United States had increased surveillance of Pakistan’s nuclear sites in a sign of distrust.
“We welcome Pakistan’s statement yesterday that it is fully committed to the objectives of disarmament and non-proliferation,” spokesperson Jen Psaki said, in reference to the Foreign Ministry’s statement, issued after the Post news story. The Post said its news story was based on American secret documents provided to the paper by whistleblower Edward Snowden.
“The United States is confident that the government of Pakistan is well aware of its responsibilities and has secured its nuclear arsenal accordingly,” the State Department spokesperson observed in the statement.
Psaki also noted that “while there is room for improvement in the security of any country’s nuclear programmes, Pakistan has a professional and dedicated security force that fully understands the importance of nuclear security”.
“We recognise that Pakistan is fully engaged with the international community on nuclear safety and security issues, and is working hard to ensure its strategic export controls are in line with international standards. Pakistan is a state party to both Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological Weapons Convention and is a partner in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.”
The spokesperson also cited regular talks the two countries hold on issues of shared interest including Afghanistan stability and said they would continue to work together towards these goals.
“We have regular discussions with the government of Pakistan on a range of issues on important shared interests, including nuclear security, counterterrorism and fostering a stable Afghanistan. We will continue to work together to find ways to cooperate to make Pakistan and the region more secure, stable and prosperous.”