US asks her Major Non NATO Ally, the Mohammadden Terrorist fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan to can the Nuclear Weapon Dropping rhetoric being thrown about by the likes of the Islamic Republic’s Defence Minister
Also on Nuclear matters, a question on Hillary Clintons comment on the dangers of the Islamic Republics Tactical Nuclear Weapons falling into the hands of Un-uniformed Jihadi’s from the hands of the Uniformed Jihadi’s.
Then off course questions on India’s boots on the ground Cross LoC strike:
Mark C. Toner
Deputy Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
September 30, 2016 …………….
QUESTION: Have you got any assurance from either India or Pakistan regarding the situation on the Line of Control about what future course of action each of them might take?
MR TONER: Do we have any – I apologize, any clarity, you said?
QUESTION: Any assurance from either India or Pakistan on what future action they might plan on the LOC.
MR TONER: Well, I think John Kirby spoke a little bit about this. We’re continuing to follow the situation on the ground very closely. From our perspective, we urge calm and restraint by both sides. We understand that the Pakistani and Indian militaries have been in communication and we believe that continued communication between them is important to reduce tensions. I think we don’t – certainly don’t want to see any kind of escalation and any – and certainly any kind of break in that communication. We have repeatedly and consistently expressed our concerns regarding the danger that cross-border terrorism poses for the region, and that certainly includes the recent attacks – terrorist attacks in Uri. And we continue to urge actions to combat and de-escalate – and delegitimize, rather, terrorist groups like Lashkar-e Talaba – Tayyiba, rather – Haqqani Network, as well as Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Yes, sir, then I’ll go to you, Matt.
QUESTION: Yeah, it’s from the same – I just have some – few clarification.
MR TONER: Okay.
QUESTION: Did you have any pre-knowledge of this so-called Indian surgical strike on Pakistani soil?
MR TONER: No, I don’t have anything for you on that, sorry.
QUESTION: And it’s all based on an Indian statement that this happened, and the Pakistan says it didn’t happen and then it says two killed and they have arrested – so what – on what basis are you reacting? On the basis of the statement from India, on the basis of – do you have – I know you don’t talk about the intelligence matters.
MR TONER: I mean, we have high-level engagement, as you can imagine, with both governments, and our assessment is based on that.
QUESTION: So you confirm it happened?
MR TONER: It’s not for me to confirm it happened. It’s for the governments themselves to speak to their roles.
QUESTION: Okay. And then there was calls between Secretary Kerry and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
MR TONER: There was --
QUESTION: And --
MR TONER: -- a few days ago.
QUESTION: -- what – yeah, what was – was there a suggestion from Secretary to Indian minister to cool down the – the whatever was going on at the UNGA and take it easy before this happened?
MR TONER: I’ll have to see if I can get you a readout of that call, but again, it’s part of our – we’re very concerned about the situation there. We don’t want to see it escalate any further. And as part of that concern, the Secretary is certainly engaged and talking to Indian leadership – senior Indian leadership.
QUESTION: Just the last one.
QUESTION: Can I have --
QUESTION: Just the last one. Pakistan has reacted, saying that if India does it again, they will react. And then they also talked about using nukes. Like, they don’t have a no-first-use policy, like India has declared a no-first-use. So do you – according to – as you have high-level connections and the intelligence reports, which you do not talk from the podium --
MR TONER: Right.
QUESTION: -- do you expect further trouble?
MR TONER: I mean, in terms – so just to answer your question about some of the rhetoric from the Pakistani Government and the possibility of using nukes or nuclear weapons, I would just say nuclear-capable states have a very clear responsibility to exercise restraint regarding nuclear weapons and missile capabilities. And that’s my message publicly and that’s certainly our message directly to the Pakistani authorities.
QUESTION: So after your call for restrain and calm, the signals that you get from India and Pakistan – are they reassuring for you?
MR TONER: I don’t have a real readout. I mean, I think we’re just still following the situation on the ground very closely.
Please.
QUESTION: Yeah. Today New York Times published an article based on leaked audio of Secretary Clinton’s fundraiser in which she is heard as saying – expressing concerns about the security of Pakistani nuclear weapons, and she also talks about a nuclear suicide bomber kind of thing. Do you agree with her assessment? Do you have concerns about Pakistan’s nuclear security?
MR TONER: Well, I think I just attempted to speak to that concern about some of the rhetoric, as I said, we’ve seen coming out of Pakistan, regarding its nuclear weapons or – with regard to – I haven’t seen her remarks, honestly. I just haven’t seen them, so I can’t speak to them. Sorry.
QUESTION: The rhetoric or the statement has come from none other than the defense minister himself. And in this month twice in interviews, he has said use (inaudible).
MR TONER: But I – sorry. I don’t mean to talk over you, but I just said obviously we believe that nuclear-capable states have a very clear responsibility to use nuclear weapons responsibly.
QUESTION: To not use them.
MR TONER: Well, to not use them, exactly. But also to refrain from rhetoric – did I say use --
QUESTION: Use them responsibly. (Laughter.)
MR TONER: Well, this is what happens when you keep me up here for 90-plus minutes.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
MR TONER: Yeah. To not use nuclear weapons. And with that, I’m going to cut you all off. I want to go to –
From here:
Clicky