Pakistan to destroy nuclear arsenal if India promises to do same

THE Pakistani Government says it would get rid of its nuclear arsenal if India were prepared to the same.

Pakistan would be "happy" to take such steps, foreign ministry spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan told journalists in Islamabad.

He was speaking as Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali was preparing to host talks with Pakistan's political parties to devise a joint strategy for a possible dialogue with India.

On Friday the two sides said they would re-establish full diplomatic relations, in what is being seen as a significant first step towards peace.

"As far as Pakistan is concerned, if India is ready to denuclearise, we would be happy to denuclearise," Mr Khan said yesterday.

"But it will have to be mutual."

It is nearly five years since India, and then Pakistan, carried out nuclear tests in the face of international opposition.

"Our position has been that we were forced into the situation because of Indian nuclear ambitions," Mr Khan said.

Earlier Mr Khan said Pakistan had had a "positive response" from Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee after Mr Jamali invited him to Islamabad for talks.

Last Friday, Mr Vajpayee said that careful planning was needed before any meeting took place.

There have been several moves by leaders in both countries recently to try to normalise relations after they came to the brink of war last year over Kashmir.

Mr Jamali has also indicated he is planning to announce measures aimed at creating a favourable atmosphere for resuming normal talks with India.

He said he was considering convening a special sitting of the Pakistani parliament which is not in session to discuss the matter.

"It is my duty to consult all political parties and I hope that we can reach a positive conclusion," he said.

In a separate development, a bipartisan group of Pakistan parliamentarians is to visit India this week to promote peace and friendship.

The visit is not an official initiative, but in a changed atmosphere the move is also being supported by Islamabad. The moves by India and Pakistan come as US Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, is scheduled to visit Islamabad and Delhi this week.