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World hesitates as US, Japan, Canada slap sanctions on Pakistan

The United States, Japan, and Canada slapped economic sanctions on Pakistan for joining the nuclear club, but most of the world stopped short of action and responded only with words of condemnation.

Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Australia followed the three countries's punitive actions.

Britain, usually Washington's closest ally, took a much softer approach to both Pakistan and India, with which two nations it has historic colonial ties.

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook insisted that the international community needs to be careful about any sanctions imposed. He said we must make sure that "they are targeted to bring the message home to those who are in charge of government, to those who have influence at the top of business, rather than affect those who are the poorest.

"That is why Britain has not followed the line taken by some countries of withdrawing our aid programme," he told BBC Radio 4.

White House spokesman Mike McCurry acknowledged there is a "limited appetite" internationally for the kind of sanctions imposed as required by US law.

In a replay of the response to India's five nuclear tests earlier this month, the US, Canada, and Japan led the charge with the harshest sanctions against Pakistan.

The US said it would cut all non-humanitarian aid and block lending by international agencies, just as it did to India.

Japan announced a cut-off of new economic aid and loans to Pakistan. Canada has banned non-humanitarian aid and military exports, and said it would also try to block IMF-funded projects.

After India's tests, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien was unhappy about the scope of sanctions and that only a few countries were willing to impose them. He said the world's powers should have gone "much further."

In announcing his country's tests on Thursday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief seconded his view.

"The world should have imposed sanctions against India fully... But they didn't," he said in a nationwide address on Thursday.

The European Union, currently headed by Britain, has not yet announced any response to Pakistan's tests.

On Monday, in response to India's detonations, the EU decided to delay consideration of loans by international financial institutions and resolved to review trade preferences granted to New Delhi. Robin Cook said that he expected "comparable measures" against Pakistan.

Britain said it is also consulting its EU and international partners on the best way to maximise pressure on India and Pakistan to avert a new nuclear arms race. Japan's chief cabinet secretary Kanezo Muraoka said yesterday that foreign ministers of the seven major industrialised nations, Russia and China might meet in London to discuss Pakistan's test.

Britain announced yesterday that it is withdrawing its high commissioner to Pakistan immediately and will scale down military co-operation with Islamabad following a series of nuclear tests.

The British government announced similar action after India carried out five nuclear tests earlier this month.

"Our objective is clear: to impress on India and Pakistan the urgent need to adhere to the global non-proliferation regime, to conduct no further tests, and to begin a dialogue which will go to the heart of the differences between them," Cook said in a statement.

"The nuclear tests have only increased tension, not enhanced security," he said. "It is now time patiently to rebuild confidence. The international community is determined to get this message across. We shall continue to take firm action to demonstrate our resolve."

The EU on Monday took measures against India for conducting nuclear blasts. "As we hold the EU presidency, we expect comparable measures to be agreed for Pakistan following the nuclear tests," Cook said.

He said Britain has already cancelled a number of high-level military visits with India and "we shall be looking for a similar reduction in military co-operation with Pakistan."

After consulting Britain's EU partners, Cook said Britain's high commissioner in Islamabad, Sir David Lain, will leave Pakistan immediately for consultations.

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