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Pervez: N-pact with India possible

New York, September 26
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has not ruled out the possibility of India and Pakistan jointly announcing their decision to remove nuclear arsenals, but stated that any initiative in this direction should come from New Delhi.

“That is a possibility but this has to be initiated by India,” he said in interviews to NBC News and CNN when asked if India and Pakistan could jointly remove their nuclear arsenals.

General Musharraf said Pakistan was maintaining deterrence level against a threat to it. “So it is that deterrent — it is that threat, which needs to be down-scaled. Pakistan would want to go ahead on it, if at all — it has to be bilateral. It has to be between India and Pakistan.”

This, he said, was the first step towards reducing tension. “Therefore, reduction in forces. Therefore, reduction in strategic assets,” General Musharraf said.

Asked if he would like, in his lifetime, India and Pakistan to get rid of their nuclear weapons, he said, “Yes, indeed, I think the whole world. I would be in favour of the whole world reducing the nuclear arsenal. I would like it certainly.” — UNI