ASSEMBLY POLL '98
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Pakistan willing to sign CTBT before September

Pakistan today hinted that it might sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty before the September 1999 deadline provided "conditions free from coercion and pressure" are provided.

Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz told the National Assembly that "there is already some good progress towards creating a conducive environment".

This is the first time Pakistan, smarting under the economic sanctions imposed on it by the United States after its nuclear tests in May 1998, has hinted at the possibility of singing the CTBT "even before September 1999".

Aziz said donor countries and agencies have softened the sanctions gradually "and hopefully our bilateral discussions (for lifting the remaining sanctions) will yield good results".

Pakistan is not against the CTBT in principle, but cannot adhere to it under coercion. "This is our principled position and cannot be compromised," he said.

DPA

Pokhran II and after

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