22 June 2010

Media Statement

Govt should oppose China's reported nuclear deal with Pakistan

The Government should speak out against China's plan to sell reactors to Pakistan at the meeting of the international Nuclear Suppliers Group it is hosting in Christchurch, said Labour's spokesperson on disarmament Phil Twyford.

International pressure is mounting against the China-Pakistan deal with fears it would stoke the arms race in South Asia, and reward Pakistan with nuclear technology even though it has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The matter is expected to be discussed at the Nuclear Suppliers Group meeting this week. New Zealand takes over the six-monthly chair on Thursday. Disarmament Minister Georgina Te Heu Heu is set to open the conference but has not made any statement about the Government's attitude to the China-Pakistan deal.

"The Government must take a clear and principled stand. It should spell out clearly this deal would be against the principles of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and against China's international treaty obligations" said Twyford.

"In 2008 the United States did a similar deal supplying India with nuclear technology even though India is not a party to the NPT. New Zealand with Helen Clark as Prime Minister and Phil Goff as Disarmament Minister took a strong stand against the deal, and lined up with Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway and Austria to oppose it and push for adequate safeguards at the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

"New Zealanders expect their Government to be willing to stand up, and speak frankly and honestly. It should not matter that these are the world's most powerful nations nor that they are among our biggest trading partners. The Government should do what is right."

ends

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