ELECTIONS '98
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THE STATES
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Signing CTBT won't affect N-capability: Pak

Pakistan has said signing an international nuclear test ban treaty would not undermine its nuclear capability, but warned that the nation will not sign if its arm is twisted by economic sanctions.

''We have crossed the threshold and our voluntary moratorium and even accession to Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty will not erode our nuclear deterrence capability,'' Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Siddique Kanju told parliament yesterday. ''But we will not sign under duress.''

Pakistan was hit with roughly $ 1.5 billion in sanctions after it exploded six nuclear devices in May in response to five underground nuclear explosions carried out by India.

Kanju said Pakistan no longer tied its signing of the CTBT to reciprocal signing by India.

Pakistan, he said, will make a decision in keeping with its national interests.

Pakistan is negotiating for money from international lending institutions and has warned that it might be forced to declare a moratorium on repayment of its external debt which is roughly $ 30 billion.

UNI

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