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Musharraf assumes nuclear control | Musharraf assumes nuclear control |
(10 minutes later) | |
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has put the country's nuclear weapons under the control of the president, rather than the prime minister. | Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has put the country's nuclear weapons under the control of the president, rather than the prime minister. |
The president issued an ordinance - which has to be ratified by parliament some time over the next six months - which formalised his control on Friday. | The president issued an ordinance - which has to be ratified by parliament some time over the next six months - which formalised his control on Friday. |
His move comes amid concern abroad that the nuclear arsenal could fall into the hands of Islamist extremists. | His move comes amid concern abroad that the nuclear arsenal could fall into the hands of Islamist extremists. |
The military says that its nuclear weapons security is "foolproof". | The military says that its nuclear weapons security is "foolproof". |
Hostile government | Hostile government |
President Musharraf assumed control of his country's nuclear weapons by taking command of the National Command Authority (NCA), the body which is responsible for operating them. | |
In 2004 AQ Khan admitted to passing nuclear secrets | In 2004 AQ Khan admitted to passing nuclear secrets |
General elections are due to be held in Pakistan on 8 January and many commentators predict that if the vote is fair, a government hostile to President Musharraf could emerge. | General elections are due to be held in Pakistan on 8 January and many commentators predict that if the vote is fair, a government hostile to President Musharraf could emerge. |
Army spokesman Maj Gen Waheed Arshad said there was a consensus among political parties in Pakistan that nuclear weapons should be controlled by the NCA. | Army spokesman Maj Gen Waheed Arshad said there was a consensus among political parties in Pakistan that nuclear weapons should be controlled by the NCA. |
He said it was important that the make-up of this body should be put on a firm legal footing before the elections. | He said it was important that the make-up of this body should be put on a firm legal footing before the elections. |
Militant violence | Militant violence |
"There is a transition in process and the country is returning to full democracy, so whatever things were left to be done are being done," he said. | "There is a transition in process and the country is returning to full democracy, so whatever things were left to be done are being done," he said. |
The security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal has been of worldwide concern in recent months because of spread of pro-Taleban militancy. | The security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal has been of worldwide concern in recent months because of spread of pro-Taleban militancy. |
The president has temporary control of the nuclear arsenal | The president has temporary control of the nuclear arsenal |
President Musharraf established the NCA in 2000, two years after Pakistan detonated several atomic devices to establish itself as the Islamic world's only declared nuclear weapons power. | President Musharraf established the NCA in 2000, two years after Pakistan detonated several atomic devices to establish itself as the Islamic world's only declared nuclear weapons power. |
Four years after the first tests, the country's top nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan, was exposed as the head of an international black market in nuclear technology. | Four years after the first tests, the country's top nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan, was exposed as the head of an international black market in nuclear technology. |
Today Pakistani officials remain sensitive to suggestions that Pakistan's nuclear weapons - the country's main source of defence against arch-rival India - might not be under firm control. | Today Pakistani officials remain sensitive to suggestions that Pakistan's nuclear weapons - the country's main source of defence against arch-rival India - might not be under firm control. |
Last month the authorities strongly condemned suggestions by two American academics that American forces could enter Pakistan to prevent radical militants Islamists from getting their hands on a nuclear device. | Last month the authorities strongly condemned suggestions by two American academics that American forces could enter Pakistan to prevent radical militants Islamists from getting their hands on a nuclear device. |
"The NCA took note of the hostile campaign in a section of the international media with regard to Pakistan's nuclear assets," said a statement on Friday. | "The NCA took note of the hostile campaign in a section of the international media with regard to Pakistan's nuclear assets," said a statement on Friday. |
"While reiterating that the security of Pakistan's nuclear assets was foolproof, it advised against creating irresponsible alarm." | "While reiterating that the security of Pakistan's nuclear assets was foolproof, it advised against creating irresponsible alarm." |
The statement said that Pakistan was capable of defending its interests and cautioned those "contemplating misadventures". | The statement said that Pakistan was capable of defending its interests and cautioned those "contemplating misadventures". |
Last month Pakistan confirmed that the US was helping ensure the security of its nuclear weapons. | Last month Pakistan confirmed that the US was helping ensure the security of its nuclear weapons. |
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