France–Pakistan Atomic Energy Framework

The France–Pakistan atomic energy framework, or also known as France–Pakistan nuclear deal, is a bilateral energy treaty signed by the governments of France and Pakistan on 15 May 2009.[1][2] The framework of this agreement was a 15 May 2009, in a joint press statement of President Nicolas Sarkozy and President Asif Ali Zardari, under which France agreed to provide assistance to improve the nuclear safety of its nuclear power installations and related civilian nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and, as well as the transfer full civilian-based nuclear technology to Pakistan.[1][3][4]

In contrast to Indo-American nuclear agreement, this framework restricted itself to only to co-operate in the field of "nuclear safety", as quoted by the French Foreign Ministry.[5] While foreign service officers and the Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi outlined what they termed as "significant development"; however, a French official stated that his nation has "no intention" of pursuing a civilian nuclear trade deal, roughly equivalent to Indo-US deal, with Pakistan.[5]

Overview and background

Since 1967, France has emerged as the biggest defence contractor of Pakistan, despite its good and relatively close relations with India. Pakistan is one of three original participant states (others being India and Israel) that refused to be signatory of the NPT. In March 1976, France and Pakistan signed a mutual agreement for the supply of plutonium-based nuclear reprocessing plant at the Chasma.[6] However, this deal came under attack from various countries, particularly the United States, for two reasons.[6] First, Pakistan under Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was putting efforts to gain success in its atomic bomb project.[6] Second, the French deal was not completely under the inspection of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).[6] The United States pressed full scope and built momentum on France to re-consider its decision, while on other hand, Bhutto threatened the France that the future contracts would be contingent on its first fulfilling the "contractual obligation" to the legally obliged agreement.[6] In 1976, Henry Kissinger arrived Pakistan with tough message which became publicly known in Pakistan.[6] In a short span of time, France under pressured by the various countries, cancelled the project with Pakistan.[6]

Clauses and scope

Despite France's willingness to give a green signal for this agreement, the confusion remains over what was agreed.[1] The officials of Pakistan's Foreign ministry had undertaken to supply Pakistan with "civilian nuclear technology", the French officials stressed on the fact that "France had agreed only to co-operate in the field of "nuclear safety".[1] Although, in an official press French President Nicolas Sarkozy marked to his counterpart that "France wanted Pakistan to have a wide-ranging deal to buy nuclear equipment" like the one obtained by its rival India,[7] but later spokesman for the French presidency was careful to rein in expectations and much of the details were closed to the public.[1]

Notes
  1. Staff reports (15 May 2009). "Pakistan in 'French nuclear deal'". BBC Pakistan, 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  2. Francois Murphy (16 May 2009). "Pakistan Asserts French Backing; Cites Support for Nuclear Deal" (PDF). Boston Globe. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  3. AFP (15 May 2009). "France offers Pakistan nuclear energy help". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  4. "France-Pakistan nuclear deal to focus on safety". Reuters. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  5. Staff (24 November 2009). "Back to Global Security Newswire Home About Global Security Newswire Contact Us France Plans No Civilian Nuclear Deal With Pakistan, Official Says". NTI (The Hindu). Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  6. Tahrir-Khalil, Shirine R. (1997). "Preventing Proliferation" (google book). India, Pakistan and the United States. New York: Council on Foreign Relations. pp. 72–76. ISBN 0-87609-199-0. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  7. "Sarkozy wants India-style nuclear deal for Pakistan". Reuters. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2012.

9.https://www.nytimes.com/1976/08/26/archives/france-to-pursue-nuclear-deal-with-pakistan-fought-by-us.html France-Pakistan Nuclear Talks

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