The News International Sunday November 11, 2001

By our correspondent

NEW YORK: President Pervez Musharraf has revealed that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are not ready to be fired, they are not mated, they are geographically apart and they are not in a condition in which a button has to be pressed to fire them.

In an interview with Ted Koppel of ABC Television in New York, the president said on a confidence rating of 100, he would place their safety at 90. " I would certainly give it over 90. I am very sure of it, although I know there are apprehensions around the world. But I'm extremely sure of nothing of the sort. They are in very secure hands."

Asked about the warnings he gave about the consequences throughout the Muslim world if, indeed, the bombing campaign in Afghanistan continues throughout Ramadan, President Musharraf said: "I can't be very positive about it, but I said that it will have negative effects in the Muslim world. Now, I don't think it's going to be such that to take it over-seriously, but it will have a negative effect."

General Musharraf said he would like to talk to President Bush on the issue of terrorism in general, and the operation in Afghanistan in particular, and - in all its perspectives - the military and political and rehabilitation perspective. "And then I would like to very surely get involved in our national interests - Pakistan's national interests, domestic interests. And that is the area of focus that I would like to really keep.

Q: Economic, political, military, vis-a-vis India, all of those things?

A: Economic is the base.

Q: Where do things stand at the moment in terms of the restructuring of Pakistan's debt?

A: We have got a lot of promises, but the substance has yet to come.

Q: And the lifting of the embargo, the lifting of the sanctions?

A: Embargoes and sanctions have been lifted. But on the lifting of sanctions, also, I would like to talk to the president, that the waiver has been given to the president, and I would suggest to him that this arrangement should be long-term.

Q: Any particular message that you would like to convey to the American people now that you are here, in what is really - you know, six months ago you would not have been welcomed with the same open arms that you're greeted with today. Is there anything you would like to convey to the American public?

A: Well, I would like to convey to them that I come to United States with a resolve and with a conviction to fight terrorism with them all around the world.

Speaking about the demonstrations in Pakistan, President Musharraf said they were very small all over the country. "And this is one of the most remote areas near Darashmahan (ph) that some students from an extremist madrassa, being run by one of the extremist religious parties, they came out. Otherwise, in the rest of the country, there were hardly any sizable demonstrations.

Q: How nervous were you about leaving? I mean, sometimes, as they say, when the cat's away, the mice will play. Are you concerned about some of your opponents taking advantage of your absence?

A: If I was concerned, I wouldn't be out. It's too serious an issue. I wouldn't have come out at all. I wasn't concerned. I know everything is all right. The military is behind me, and political situation is absolutely all right (inaudible).

Q: I was told - and I have no way of knowing whether this is true, but you would - that, in anticipation of being out of the country, you took particular precautions with regard to your nuclear installations and your nuclear weapons. Is that true?

A: No, I didn't take any particular precautions. The precautions are in place. We have very strong custodial controls, and a command and control system which is very effective. I didn't issue any special orders as such.