US appreciates nuclear safety in Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Just two days ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit, the United States has forcefully reiterated that Pakistan’s nuclear responsibility has been up to the mark because of its important security measures in place. 

“Without question, Pakistan takes very seriously its responsibility to provide security for both nuclear material and nuclear weapons,” said Thomas Countryman, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation.

Keeping that resolute tone, he further said Pakistan and the US have had continued discussions on the subject as well.  “As a consequence of the Summit process as well as our bilateral cooperation, they [Pakistan] have taken important steps forward in providing that security,” he said.

Thomas Countryman was briefing the foreign media here on Monday. He was accompanied by Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programmes who also appreciated Pakistan’s commitment in keeping watch on nuclear threats and efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism.

Pakistan has been part of the Nuclear Summit from the very beginning, Ambassador Jekins acknowledged adding, “we are very happy that they [Pakistan] have been part of the process and part of the discussions on securing nuclear material. We know that they take the issue seriously.”

Ambassador Jenkins visited Pakistan’s Centre of Excellence in Islamabad earlier this month, and had a series of meetings with Pakistani officials. The event was hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency for a nuclear security support network. The network comprises various centres of excellence who want to work together and learn from each other and share the best practices.

Answering a question, Jenkins termed her visit a success and said, “We went to their nuclear regulatory authority and had successful meetings and it showed what they are doing in training individuals on issues of nuclear security.”

She noted that Pakistan ratified the amended Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), which was helpful to move the convention even closer to enforcement. Pakistan’s decision to ratify the Amended CPPNM was welcomed by the US. The State Department has already emphasized that such steps were supportive in making the Nuclear Security Summit a success.