Stating that "this is not the time for an imbalance in the South Asian region," Ambassador Jehangir Karamat on Saturday pleaded "there should be a package for both countries, and not country-specific deals on a subject as critical as nuclear technology."
In a statement, the Pakistan Ambassador to the United States referred to the "de-hyphenated policy" of the US in South Asia, but added that "this should not be leaning so heavily on one side."
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE AMBASSADOR'S STATEMENT: "The recent Foreign Office statement is really a clarification of what we have been saying all along, that in the interest of balance of power in the South Asian region, there should be a package for both countries and not country-specific deals on a subject, as critical as nuclear technology.
We do understand and appreciate the underpinnings of the US's de-hyphenated policy in South Asia, but this should not be leaning so heavily on one side.
President Musharraf has said that our security policy is no longer India-centric. He has also emphasised minimum deterrence as a pillar of our policy, and has said that we do not want an arms race with India. We hope, US policy will take these aspects into consideration. It is also our hope that the US policy will not be based on transitory and evolving trends, but rather, on relationships that are maturing in these fluid situations.
Pakistan is, of course, committed to democracy, but its policies are supporting the development of the political, social and economic institutions. The military will take its rightful place, once this process is complete; because right now, it is the major driver for institutional development.
We cannot have internal chaos, and we need US policy to help and support us in this process.
This is not the time for an imbalance in the region.
I might also add, that the foreign minister's comment about other countries in his recent statement was only in the context of precedents being set and should not be misunderstood in any other context."
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