Pakistani missile tests revive dangers in South Asia: US

mysterious

New Member
Pakistani missile tests revive dangers in South Asia: US

* Cheney praises Musharraf for destroying Qaeda network

WASHINGTON: The United States warned on Thursday that Pakistan’s move to conduct a key missile test revived dangers posed by nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles as well as of an arms race in South Asia, reported AFP.

“On the issue of missile tests, we clearly remain deeply concerned about the dangers that continue to be posed by both nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in South Asia,†US State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters.

The United States continued to urge Pakistan and its neighbour and nuclear-rival India to take steps to prevent an arms race and to guard against possible nuclear use, Ereli said. “I would note that in this regard, we are encouraged that India and Pakistan have just agreed to work toward a number of measures to reduce risk in the region, including a more advanced agreement on notification of missile tests,†Ereli said.

Asked whether he was especially concerned about Pakistan, as his statement sounded he was worried about the general situation in South Asia, Ereli said: “I would say there is no marked change in our level of concern. “Regarding this issue, it is an issue that we continue to raise with both countries, and that I would note, both countries discuss between themselves. And that is a good thing. It is something that we see as a positive development, in the sense that sources of tension are being addressed in a bilateral and cooperative way, and that’s to be welcomed,†he said.

Daily Times Monitor adds from Lahore: US Vice President Dick Cheney on Thursday praised President Pervez Musharraf for destroying Al Qaeda network and said the arrest of high-profile terrorists was not possible without Pakistan’s cooperation in the war on terror, a local TV channel reported.

Addressing a function in Washington, Mr Cheney said the arrest of Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, the mastermind of 9/11 attack in the US, by Pakistani law enforcement agencies helped destroy the Al Qaeda’s network. “With Pakistan’s help we have been successful in destroying Al Qaeda. We appreciate President Musharraf’s role in the war against terror,†the TV channel quoted Cheney as saying.

He said President Musharraf himself had escaped two assassination attempts for helping in the war against terror. “We strongly support and stand by President Musharraf,†Cheney added.

Reuters adds: Cheney said on Thursday the Bush administration’s war on terrorism had brought “decisive and relentless action†against extremists and said the world and America were safer because of it.

In a speech meant to build positive election-year momentum from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Cheney implicitly blamed the former administration of Bill Clinton for failing to act against mounting terrorism in the 1990s.

“Terrorists were on the offensive around the world, emboldened by many years of attacks,†when he and President George W Bush took office in January 2001, Cheney said. But “all that has changed (as) ... we answered that challenge (from Islamic extremists) with decisive and relentless action,†he told Republican supporters at the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans. “America is safer and the world more secure because Iraq and Afghanistan are now partners in the struggle against terror, instead of sanctuaries for terrorist networks,†he said. In the speech, Cheney repeated his position that Saddam’s regime had “long-established ties with Al Qaeda. Cheney’s remarks were a new attempt to regain the initiative from critics and persuade American voters that the Bush-Cheney combination is the best team to keep the country secure.

Under Bush’s leadership, “our nation has made dramatic progress in the war on terror,†he said. Although not mentioning Clinton or the current presumptive Democratic candidate John Kerry by name, Cheney declared that in the 1990s extremists had “struck America with little cost or consequence.â€

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_2-7-2004_pg1_3

There's the hint in this story that Pakistan is planning on testing a 'key' missile; which, if you ask me, is surely the Ghauri-III. :smokingc:
 

srirangan

Banned Member
Well it could be directed a the much anticipated AGNI-III test too. But I guess they'ld be more concerned of PAK's missile ests than our, cuz ours are few and far between.

Anyway just a generic statement without much weightage.
 

ashoaib

New Member
No US report is wrong Pakistani test will decrease the dangers coz India is far more powerful then Pakistan. If Pakistan will not do that then India will try to press Pakistan like in Vajpaee's government bring forces on the border. By these types of tests Pakistan can cope with India keeping India in its limits. India being the big nation should act like an elder brother in the region and dont try to press other nations. We dont want a race with India coz we cant afford it but we are affraid of India that make us to do these type of tests.
 

The Watcher

New Member
No body is afraid of India ashoaib. We want peace but if we are forced into a war or arms race, India will find us two steps ahead not behind.

Pakistan must continue to develope and research its nuclear program as well as the missiles to keep its enemies in check.
 
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