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Pakistan 'building new reactor' | Pakistan 'building new reactor' |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Satellite images show that Pakistan is building a nuclear reactor that could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, a US watchdog says. | Satellite images show that Pakistan is building a nuclear reactor that could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, a US watchdog says. |
It has warned that its construction could contribute to another nuclear arms race with neighbouring India. | It has warned that its construction could contribute to another nuclear arms race with neighbouring India. |
The Institute of Science for International Security (Isis) says photos taken earlier this month show work is "rapidly progressing". | The Institute of Science for International Security (Isis) says photos taken earlier this month show work is "rapidly progressing". |
But Pakistani officials say there is nothing untoward about the work. | But Pakistani officials say there is nothing untoward about the work. |
Isis says the reactor is being built at Khusab, 160km south-west of Islamabad. | Isis says the reactor is being built at Khusab, 160km south-west of Islamabad. |
It says that its construction and other nuclear-related activities "imply" that Pakistan has opted to "increase significantly its production of plutonium for nuclear weapons". | It says that its construction and other nuclear-related activities "imply" that Pakistan has opted to "increase significantly its production of plutonium for nuclear weapons". |
Both Pakistan and India have a nuclear weapons capability | Both Pakistan and India have a nuclear weapons capability |
The Washington-based group said that evidence from recent photos suggests that almost all the work at the site has taken place in the last 10 months. | |
The first reactor at Khusab started operations in 1998, the Isis report said, while construction on a second was underway in July 2006. | The first reactor at Khusab started operations in 1998, the Isis report said, while construction on a second was underway in July 2006. |
It says that work on a third reactor is several hundred metres away from the second and appears to be a "replica". | It says that work on a third reactor is several hundred metres away from the second and appears to be a "replica". |
Isis reported earlier this year that Pakistan had also resumed construction of its second plutonium separation facility at Chashma, around 80km away from Khusab. | Isis reported earlier this year that Pakistan had also resumed construction of its second plutonium separation facility at Chashma, around 80km away from Khusab. |
It said this was "likely related" to Khusab's expansion. | It said this was "likely related" to Khusab's expansion. |
'More destructive' | 'More destructive' |
The report - co-authored by former UN arms inspector David Albright - said that neither the reactors nor the separation plant were monitored by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. | The report - co-authored by former UN arms inspector David Albright - said that neither the reactors nor the separation plant were monitored by the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency. |
It said that Pakistan may have decided to produce a "new generation of plutonium-based weapons" to make lighter warheads for cruise missiles, or to upgrade weapons aimed at Indian cities. | It said that Pakistan may have decided to produce a "new generation of plutonium-based weapons" to make lighter warheads for cruise missiles, or to upgrade weapons aimed at Indian cities. |
The report states that most Pakistani nuclear weapons use highly enriched uranium. | The report states that most Pakistani nuclear weapons use highly enriched uranium. |
Mr Albright said that plutonium-based weapons carry more explosive power into smaller, lighter missiles than those made with uranium, which Pakistan has used for years. | Mr Albright said that plutonium-based weapons carry more explosive power into smaller, lighter missiles than those made with uranium, which Pakistan has used for years. |
"By going plutonium... we have to interpret that as an attempt to make smaller, more powerful weapons that are going to be more destructive in India," Mr Albright said in a interview with AP. | "By going plutonium... we have to interpret that as an attempt to make smaller, more powerful weapons that are going to be more destructive in India," Mr Albright said in a interview with AP. |
The Isis report also accused the US of not complaining about work on the reactor for fear of antagonising a key ally in its "war against terror". | The Isis report also accused the US of not complaining about work on the reactor for fear of antagonising a key ally in its "war against terror". |
Pakistan's nuclear weapons are a source of national pride | Pakistan's nuclear weapons are a source of national pride |
"The bottom line for us is that the US isn't doing enough to stop these countries from expanding their nuclear arsenals. They're turning a blind eye," said Mr Albright. | "The bottom line for us is that the US isn't doing enough to stop these countries from expanding their nuclear arsenals. They're turning a blind eye," said Mr Albright. |
But Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said that it "shouldn't be a surprise" that Pakistan is working on its nuclear programme. | But Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said that it "shouldn't be a surprise" that Pakistan is working on its nuclear programme. |
"We are a nuclear weapons state. We have facilities at Khushab, so this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone," she said. | "We are a nuclear weapons state. We have facilities at Khushab, so this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone," she said. |
Ms Aslam denied suggestions the work could trigger a new arms race. | Ms Aslam denied suggestions the work could trigger a new arms race. |
"We were not the first to introduce nuclear weapons to the region or test them," she said. | "We were not the first to introduce nuclear weapons to the region or test them," she said. |
"We have no intention of entering into a nuclear arms race with India whether nuclear or conventional." | "We have no intention of entering into a nuclear arms race with India whether nuclear or conventional." |
Pakistan conducted its first and nuclear tests in May 1998 after Indian tests earlier that month. India detonated its first nuclear bomb in 1974. | Pakistan conducted its first and nuclear tests in May 1998 after Indian tests earlier that month. India detonated its first nuclear bomb in 1974. |
The two countries came close to war in 2002, prompting fears of a full nuclear exchange. | The two countries came close to war in 2002, prompting fears of a full nuclear exchange. |