Reports noted that Pakistan was facing pressure from major nuclear powers to end its blockage of international disarmament talks at the 65-member Conference on Disarmament (CD), citing ‘national security threats’. Among other issues scheduled to be discussed included an international ban on the production of new fissile material, discussions on full nuclear disarmament, curbing arms race in outer space, and security assurances for non-nuclear states. US representative Garold Larson criticised Pakistan’s tactics as “procedural fault finding” and added that national security concerns can be dealt with once the talks get underway. Russia, China, and Japan also expressed concerns and urged a quick start to the talks1.

• 1. “Pakistan feels heat from nuclear powers over talks block,” August 20, 2009, at http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Pakistan_feels_heat_from_nuclear_powers_...