Assessing Pakistan's Nuclear Plant Accident

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In The Media

Assessing Pakistan's Nuclear Plant Accident

By Sharon Squassoni

Published on Apr 9, 2008

Source: BBC World Service Newshour

In response to reports of an explosion at the Khushab nuclear facility in Pakistan, Carnegie’s Sharon Squassoni says that because the heavy water reactor at the facility produces plutonium for the country’s nuclear weapons program, issues of nuclear safety are opaque.

“Pakistan has taken some steps since 2001 to increase transparency in its civilian nuclear program and it is a signatory to the Convention on Nuclear Safety,” she said, “but none of those apply to its military program, so in many respects we are in the dark.”

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About the Author

Sharon Squassoni

Former Senior Associate, Nuclear Policy Program

Squassoni came to Carnegie from the Congressional Research Service. She also served for nine years in the executive branch. Her last position at the State Department was director of Policy Coordination in the Nonproliferation Bureau.

Recent Work

Other
Grading Progress on 13 Steps Toward Nuclear Disarmament
- Sharon Squassoni
Report
Nuclear Energy: Rebirth or Resuscitation?
- Sharon Squassoni

Nuclear Policy Pakistan

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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