Prime Minister Condemns Nuclear Tests by Pakistan

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today issued a statement condemning the nuclear weapons test that Pakistan announced it had carried out:

Canada is deeply disappointed that the Pakistani government did not heed the international call for restraint, but chose to act in a manner contrary to the international norms established by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

In my telephone call last week with Pakistan's Prime Minister, I urged him to consider that such a test, coming so soon after India's recent round, could only have grave implications for the security of South Asia, as well as for non-proliferation efforts internationally.

On behalf of all Canadians, I urge both Pakistan and India to renounce their nuclear weapons programmes and to sign on to the NPT and CTBT. I also urge them to renew regional dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution of differences.

The Prime Minister also announced that Canada's relations with Pakistan would now be placed on hold and that further measures would be announced in light of the developments in both India and Pakistan.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555


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