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29 April 2002 |
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http://www1.timesofindia.com:80/articleshow.asp?art_id=8371288 |
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan voiced worries on Monday over India's test of a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly with Russia, saying the weapon would aggravate "the existing imbalance" in South Asia. A Foreign Ministry spokesman also said Moscow's cooperation in the development of the Brahmos missile was a violation of its obligations under the international Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The Brahmos missile, with a range of 280 km, was successfully tested on Sunday. "Pakistan takes a serious note of the announced test flight of the Brahmos missile. The introduction of this new weapon system will aggravate the existing imbalance in the region and further encourage India in its hegemonic designs," Pakistan spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan told reporters at a news briefing. "It should also be a matter of deep concern that this cooperation is in clear violation of the international obligations of Russia as a member of the MTCR," Khan added. Khan claimed that Pakistan "remains committed to a policy of restraint and responsibility" and opposed to an arms race in the region. "However, we will take all necessary steps to ensure (a) strong defence capability to deter any aggressive designs against our sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. "We have also always impressed upon major powers to refrain from policies and measures that destabilise the region."
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