A communique issued on May 19 by the office of the French president after his meeting with President Zardari does not mention at all their discussion on cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear technology. In fact no reference to anything nuclear has been made in the three-paragraphed communiquÈ which starts with the French president’s pledge of support for democracy in Pakistan and his decision to “grant substantial assistance to respond to grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Swat valley” and ends with the call by Sarkozy for the “absolute necessity for Pakistan to pursue its efforts against Taliban extremism as well as against all other terrorist groups threatening its territory and its neighbours and to closely cooperate in this respect with neighbouring countries”. %between%
Obviously you or BanTaleban did not read the full article.
Its a realistic question posted by the Qudssia thats all.
Read red part and it is obvious that French have not denied or agreed to anything claimed by the officials but analyst have been very instrumental including the writer.
**Now that should be considered as a cold shower to anyone thinking or making claims that any person is fooling.
The title of article has a question mark and you got stimulated and agreed with the question without reading the article.
**
Is Pakistan putting a spin on fancy French N-locks?
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
By Qudssia Akhlaque
ISLAMABAD: The much-publicised French “offer” of civilian nuclear “technology” to Pakistan during President Asif Zardari’s first official visit to Paris on May 15 remains shrouded in ambiguity as the French have only talked of nuclear safety.
Projected as a major ‘achievement’ by the president and his key aides, the controversy surrounding the French offer raises key questions that range from flawed interpretation to spin doctoring to a case of caution. The ambiguity flows from the divergent statements by the two sides that reflect a disconnect between the French offer and how it was interpreted or flagged by the PPP-led government in Islamabad.
“France has agreed to transfer civilian nuclear technology to Pakistan. That is a significant development, and we have agreed that Pakistan should be treated like India. President Sarkozy said, and I quote him, ‘What can be done for India, can be done for Pakistan as well,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi told the media after President Zardari’s bilateral meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at Elysee Palace.
Later, the AFP quoted a spokesman of the French government as saying President Sarkozy had “confirmed France was ready, within the framework of its international agreements, to co-operate with Pakistan in the field of nuclear safety. This is so the Pakistani programme can develop in the best conditions of safety and security.”
Notably the statement by the French spokesman did not even once use the term civilian nuclear technology, leave aside France’s consent to “transfer” this technology to Pakistan. Similarly, neither did the Pakistani side refer to France’s readiness to cooperate with it in nuclear safety. Whether it was by design that the French opted to refrain from making public its offer at this stage to maintain a level of ambiguity or it was a case of misinterpretation or spin doctoring by the Pakistani side, remains unclear.
However, one thing is certain. Both sides chose to be deliberately selective in their respective statements, ostensibly highlighting only aspects that suited them politically. Hence, no joint statement was issued after the meeting between the two presidents. “While at this point clarity suits Islamabad on the French offer, ambiguity suits Paris,” is how one nuclear expert summed up the conflicting statements.
A communique issued on May 19 by the office of the French president after his meeting with President Zardari does not mention at all their discussion on cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear technology. In fact no reference to anything nuclear has been made in the three-paragraphed communiquÈ which starts with the French president’s pledge of support for democracy in Pakistan and his decision to “grant substantial assistance to respond to grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Swat valley” and ends with the call by Sarkozy for the “absolute necessity for Pakistan to pursue its efforts against Taliban extremism as well as against all other terrorist groups threatening its territory and its neighbours and to closely cooperate in this respect with neighbouring countries”.
A subsequent statement by the spokesperson of the French ministry of foreign and European affairs on May 19, 2009 also makes no mention of any offer of civilian nuclear technology to Pakistan and merely talks of France’s willingness to cooperate with Pakistan in the field of nuclear security which is obviously quite different from the former. It is noted: “Furthermore, France ñ within the framework of its international commitments ñ is prepared to cooperate with Pakistan in the field of nuclear security to ensure that the Pakistani civilian program is developed under the best possible safety and security conditions.” It adds: “That’s why the (foreign) minister discussed it with President Zardari in New York, and President Sarkozy discussed it with his counterpart in Paris. The Pakistani authorities are interested in the possibility of assistance. Now we must see how it can be put in place.”
**There was no immediate comment from the French embassy here when this correspondent contacted it last week and asked to explain the disconnect in the statements given by the two sides on the subject of nuclear civilian technology offer. **However, towards the end of the week the Press Attache at the embassy, Aqil Hussain, got back with this response via email: “I have talked to Adrien Arbouche, Press Counsellor, regarding your phone calls. He has advised me to inform you that the French embassy has nothing to add as to what has been said in the attached communique and the statement (by the French ministry of foreign and European affairs).”
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit has been equally non-committal on this question. When specifically asked if France had made a categorical offer of civilian nuclear technology and whether or not for sale of this technology to Pakistan it would have to first get approval from the Nuclear Supplier’s Group (NSG), he left it at: “This and other related issues will be discussed when the two sides meet in July to negotiate a broader framework agreement.” He gave a similar response when asked if the French offer was conditional.
But when attention of a former Pakistani diplomat was drawn to this predicament he saw it as “purely an issue of comprehension” and not properly understanding the nuances of the offer made. “The offer may have been misinterpreted in the process of being translated from the French into the English language,” he noted.
“Basically the French must have offered to help secure our nuclear weapons with fancy French locks that do not unlock and in this context may have expressed willingness to consider Pakistan’s request for access to civilian nuclear technology,” is how he summed up the matter, adding: “They may have enticed us to buy their good locks to secure nuclear arsenal through an offer of possible cooperation in the civilian nuclear field.”
Amid mounting international concern, particularly among the major powers, about vulnerability of Pak nuclear arsenal with the whole world raising questions about its safety, some security analysts have doubts about the seriousness of the French offer.
“In this uncertain period when even our friends would be cautious and reluctant to go public with such an offer it seems most unlikely that a big country like France would make this categorical offer,” remarked one analyst. Also, just a week ahead of President Zardari’s visit to Paris the French President’s Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Pierre Lellouche, had expressed serious concern about the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, fearing that militants could one day seize control of the country’s nuclear arsenal.
However, while members of the PPP-led government continue to blow the trumpet of the civilian nuclear technology offer by France, the French government has curiously remained tight-lipped on this particular question. Intriguingly, it has not denied or confirmed the Pakistani claim.
**There are various interpretations to this diplomatic silence. One, that France does not wish to embarrass Pakistan or wishes to avoid a controversy on this issue. Two, that the offer may not have been as categorical as our foreign minister made it sound. Three, it may have been conditional to Pakistan buying the ‘French locks’ to first secure its nuclear assets. Four, France may have been receptive to Pakistan’s request for considering the possibility of cooperation in the civilian nuclear field but is not going public with it to avoid controversy and pressure as it is mindful of the numerous steps it would entail. That it may first want to work through it in conjunction with the IAEA and other members of the NSG. Five, France wants to test waters to gauge international reaction, particularly after a precedent has been set with the India-specific Indo-US nuclear deal. Lastly, it may be a confidence-building measure (CBM) by France to develop confidence and make up for letting Pakistan down after making a commitment for a reprocessing plant in the 70s.
**
To be continued
Re: Is Pakistan putting a spin on fancy French N-locks?
diwana - I read what you posted. it still does not provide any clarity except confirming explicitly the motivations for Pakistan preferring to keep the statements ambiguous and non clear.
which is why "no clear cooperation" is apropo and not nuclear cooperation.
diwana - I read what you posted. it still does not provide any clarity except confirming explicitly the motivations for** Pakistan preferring to keep the statements ambiguous and non clear.**
which is why "no clear cooperation" is apropo and not nuclear cooperation.
I am sure its overwhelming for you to read and understand the article.
Please refer to a dictionary for the meaning of word** co-operation**.
If both Pakistani officials and French have no clear statements and the matter is going to be discussed again at a later date then how come OP is hell bent in making Pakistan accused of fooling anyone?
Also, did it make any sense in saying no clear co-operation when there is a clear co-operation going on between two countries in terms of nuclear technology? This process in still under progress.
It only means perhaps you had a heartburn reading the article.
Both countries are free to and would work above your level of comprehension of the situation off course. :-)
Re: Is Pakistan putting a spin on fancy French N-locks?
diwana saheb - why would I have a heartburn whether Pakistan and France cooperate or not? I hope they do to bring some peace within Pakistan so this terrorism stuff goes down!
The thing that makes it sound like some funny business is going on is because the first news that came out said "France has agreed to a Indo-US like nuclear cooperation treaty" and everything else since then has been highly nuanced, and seems intended to ratchet down that expectation
diwana saheb - why would I have a heartburn whether Pakistan and France cooperate or not? I hope they do to bring some peace within Pakistan so this terrorism stuff goes down!
The thing that makes it sound like some funny business is going on is because the first news that came out said "France has agreed to a Indo-US like nuclear cooperation treaty" and everything else since then has been highly nuanced, and seems intended to ratchet down that expectation
Thanks for the good wishes. Why? This question is for you to answer since you made the mocking remarks above.
Not having a clarity does not mean non-existence of co-operation. I hope this is simple enough for anyone to grasp.
Anyhow, the thread was started with a misconception that someone is trying to fool from Pakistan end. We know that is not proven by the article.
Re: Is Pakistan putting a spin on fancy French N-locks?
How is it a misconception? The article as well as facts outside of it make it quite clear that there is no Indo-US like cooperation being discussed - not by a long mile
Re: Is Pakistan putting a spin on fancy French N-locks?
Not surprising at all. Providing Pakistan with any form of nuclear technology will be tantamount to pissing off India, which nobody wishes to do due to its economic prowress but also because of its future role as a counter to China.
However the French as always are businessmen first. They always have been. Only a handful of countries have the need of the safety options the French are offering. If Pakistan won't buy them who will? They are basically looking at money and not taking it.
I am betting a civilian nuclear deal exists. However its details are being kept hush hush for the sake of not getting abused by the rest of the world.
Re: Is Pakistan putting a spin on fancy French N-locks?
WIth adequate safeguards and inspections, civilian use nuclear technology and material should not be witheld from any country. The underdeveloped nations in particular need electricty to satisfy basic needs.
It would be a good thing for Pakistan to get that as well.
How is it a misconception? The article as well as facts outside of it make it quite clear that there is no Indo-US like cooperation being discussed - not by a long mile
You obviously don't get it. Read above
Nothing is impossible or out of question.
Keep losing your sleep over it despite you now tried to change your position in your last post.
And OP is just mysteriously disappeared after being exposed.
I hope the thread is nearing its closure for being an absurd analogy from OP.
The French official said Sarkozy had “confirmed that France was ready, within the framework of its international agreements, to cooperate with Pakistan in the field of nuclear safety.” “This is so the Pakistani programme can develop in the best conditions of safety and security,” the French official added. He had nothing to say about cooperation in nuclear energy. But the implication was clear: Paris had made no such offer. The French media has spoken of a misunderstanding by Pakistani officials.
So what is the point of bringing this second article? Does this prove anyone is trying to fool from Pakistsn side?
By providing this second link you are admitting that you were **dead wrong **in starting this thread on misconception that anyone was trying to fool from Pakistan side.
Remember, that was the article you posted to try to fool readers and failed miserably.
If you were right, then talk about the same article and prove your point of thread.
Now, you searched another article to put a spin to the argument and again trying to fool readers.
Your first assertion of someone **was trying to fool **is ‘killed’ on the spot.
Hence your thread is pointless.
Even though there is absolutely no need to fall for your trap, I must say you have tried to twist the issue of someone trying to fool someone.
**Again the first article was very realistic and so is the second one. **
You cannot find anything which can confirm your ludicrous remark of anyone from Pakistan was trying to fool anyone.
Read below excerpt from the same article you posted the link to get more insight…wish you sweet deep night sleep!
“The question what exactly transpired at the Paris talks will probably never be fully clarified. But it seems that Sarkozy went beyond the brief prepared for him by his officials. Nevertheless, his remark that** Pakistan has as much claim to nuclear technology as India is significant**** because it is an acknowledgment that a policy of discriminating between the two countries is irrational and illogical and would be difficult to sustain in the long run. Even Indian foreign ministerPranab Mukherjeeadmitted in an unguarded moment at a press conference in Washington on Oct 10 thatevery country had the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,and said that **India would like to encourage civil nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and the US.**”
**
Did Mukherjee really mean this or even made these remaks is questionable and not known but are very welcoming if true.
The title of article has a question mark and you got stimulated and agreed with the question without reading the article.
lol @ stimulated, so true.
This is so typical of aam bhanda, spends all day finding anti Pakistan stuff on google and starts jumping up and down in joy every time he finds something like this.