More brickbats for Pakistan

LONDON, May 30: Britain today accused Pakistan of acting in 8220;flagrant disregard8221; of international opinion by carrying out a second round of nuclear test. Foreign secretary Robin Cook said, the new tests 8220;do nothing to enhance Pakistan8217;s security environment. They further escalate tension and heighten concerns about an arms race in South Asia. In carrying out these further tests Pakistan has acted in flagrant disregard of international opinion8221;.

Japan may recall its ambassador to Pakistan in response to Islamabad8217;s second round of nuclear tests, a report from Tokyo said. The Japanese government strongly denounces the testing, calling Pakistan8217;s move 8220;an act that challenges and runs against the nuclear non-proliferation movement, ignoring the international public movement.8221; Japan will work through the UN and the G-8 to urge Pakistan and India to show restraint, it said.

Australian PM John Howard termed Pakistan8217;s tests as 8220;dismaying8221; and said it compounded the outrage in what was becoming adangerous game. 8220;Pakistan has further compounded the original outrage,8221; a spokesman for Howard said in Sydney. 8220;It is dismaying that such dangerous weapons should be caught up in an I can do better than you8217; game.8221;

France also condemned today8217;s nuclear tests by Pakistan and urged it to 8220;put a definitive end to such tests8221;. In Paris, the foreign ministry said, 8220;France renews its appeal to Pakistan and to India to quickly, unconditionally sign the CTBT and participate in negotiations towards a treaty to ban the production of fissile materials .8221;