Pakistan responded yesterday to strong Irish criticism of its recent nuclear tests, saying it had been forced into action after years of restraint for reasons of national security.
India had used "nuclear blackmail" over Kashmir, the main cause of the crisis, Pakistan's ambassador to Ireland, Mr Said Dehlavi, told the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews. "We would welcome mediation," he added.
The ambassador, who is resident in Paris, was "summoned" to Dublin where the Minister expressed "the Government's profound concern" at Pakistan's tests, according to a Department of Foreign Affairs statement. After India tested nuclear devices two weeks ago, Mr Andrews also summoned India's ambassador to a meeting. Mr Dehlavi preferred to say he had been "invited".
Mr Andrews said the EU had tried to encourage Pakistan to show restraint in the face of the Indian tests, but he regretted that these had been "spurned by Pakistan". He called on Islamabad to reconsider its position, saying that "far from enhancing Pakistan's security, such actions undermine peace and security in the region generally".
He described both sets of tests as a most serious setback to nuclear non-proliferation and the Non Proliferation Treaty, which he called on Pakistan to sign.
The Minister said the non-fulfilment by the five nuclear weapons states (the US, Russia, France, Britain and China) of legally-binding commitments to eliminate their arsenals did not justify other states developing nuclear weapons.
Mr Dehlavi said Pakistan had shown great restraint since 1974, when India first tested a nuclear device, and had been in the forefront of countries espousing non-proliferation.
He said Pakistan would like the international community to review the strategic situation on the south Asian sub-continent which had been completely changed by India's tests. "We are ready to work with the international community and with India" on an agreement to lessen tension, he said.
Pakistan had made eight propositions to India since 1974, including signing the NPT. "All eight have been rejected," Mr Dehlavi said. Meanwhile, Pakistan had gone ahead with obtaining nuclear capability. "We have capability but we have said that we will not use it. The main point I want to make is that we have shown restraint."
He said Pakistan had been subjected to "bellicose statements" by India's BJP leaders which had heightened tension on the Kashmir border.
Pakistan was worried because the BJP manifesto had three main items. "The first was to destroy a mosque. The second was to go ahead with the nuclear option and the third was to take Kashmir by force. So naturally we are concerned," said Mr Dehlavi.
Following the five Indian tests, for Pakistan it was no longer a question of proliferation or non-proliferation. "It is a case of national security," said the ambassador.