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Pakistan must unveil

N-doctrine: Gul

ISLAMABAD: The former chief of the Inter-services Intelligence (ISI), Gen Hameed Gul (Retd) has observed that Pakistan should unveil its nuclear doctrine to make it clear on all as to how and when it can use the nuclear capability.

In an interview with the PPI here, he said instead of eagerly waiting for US President Bill Clinton's visit to Pakistan, the country should get its importance recognised by the world by immediately announcing its nuclear doctrine.

He welcomed the establishment of National Command Authority (NAC) for an institutionalised and effective control over the country's nuclear policy and observed it would help dispel the impression at the international level that irresponsible governments in Pakistan would fail to handle the nuclear programme.

Gen Hameed Gul said though Pakistan despite all international pressures and challenges has achieved nuclear technology, it is not yet a nuclear weapon state like the United States, Russia, China and India, as it has not unveiled its nuclear doctrine.

He said many steps towards this direction are still to be taken which include the achievement of capability to develop hydrogen and neutron bombs. These "clean bombs" are more effective, he remarked.

Answering a question, Gen Gul said that India has not only acquired the capability to develop hydrogen and neutron bombs but has also announced its nuclear doctirne aimed at creating hegemony in South Asia.

He said the Uniterd States has accorded a tacit approval to the Indian nuclear doctrine which promises to develop over 400 nuclear bombs.

Gen Gul said that the thermo-nuclear capability is also a must in Pakistan's nuclear programme. He, howevere, warned that the entire process would come to a stand-still once Pakistan signs Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). He said the present government should therefore, not sign the discriminatory treaty at any cost.

"We cannot afford to cap the demands for our security. We need to move towards improvement even after achieving nuclear capability and conducting nuclear tests," he remarked.

Referring to the US president's proposed visit to South Asia, Gen Gul said that United States is following a hypocritic policy towards Pakistan. He said the government should not accept any conditions for the Clinton's visit to Pakistan.

He, however, said the US president should be welcomed if he comes to Pakistan without setting any pre-conditions.

Gen Gul was of the view that the thinking of the world would change with the announcement of nuclear doctrine, as had been witnessed after the nuclear tests of May 28, 1999, conducted to achieve nuclear parity with India.ÑPPI