ABU DHABI, May 31: The United Arab Emirates said Saturday Pakistan had the "right" to conduct nuclear tests ``to assure its security and interests'' in a statement expressing concern at mounting tension in the region.``Given the historically friendly ties linking the UAE with India and Pakistan, and taking into account the legitimate right of Pakistan to conduct tests to assure its security and interests, the UAE urges the two countries to resume talks to enable a reduction in tension,'' a foreign ministry statement said.
``The UAE considers that the recent nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan do not contribute to the creation of peace and stability in this region and therefore calls on the two countries to show restraint,'' said the statement carried by the official news agency WAM.
The Pakistani move to carry out round two of testing on Saturday defied an explicit call from the UN Security Council on Friday to desist from further testing.
India conducted five nuclear tests on May 11 and 13following up on a first test it conducted in 1974.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
