Page 18 from FCO 96949 - Nuclear Power Matters In Pakistan 1979

This is a secret telegram from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to their embassy in Bern. It discusses Alston's letter of March 2nd regarding Pakistan's nuclear weapons development.

According to a conversation with von Arx, a Scientific Assistant at the Federal Political Department, the Swiss Government has no legal basis to prevent VAT (a Swiss company) from manufacturing and selling valves to Pakistan, as they are not specified in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) trigger list. The same applies to technology transfer. The trigger list, specified in regulations under the Swiss Atomic Energy Act, only includes gas centrifuge assemblies and not their parts. Switzerland, however, is concerned about preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and is a member of the NSG. In response to representations made by the UK and the US, the Swiss Government will seek to dissuade VAT from proceeding with the sale, but that is the extent of their action.

Von Arx regretted that when the trigger list was drawn up, the UK and the US, among others, did not accept a Swiss suggestion to include each component specific to nuclear weapons production. If accepted, it would have allowed Switzerland to prevent this sale. Currently, even if the trigger list were expanded, it would take many months to make the necessary amendment to the regulations, considering the current focus on internal nuclear matters and the revision of the Nuclear Energy Act.

Copies of the telegram were sent to various individuals and departments, including the Cabinet Office, Dr. N. Thompson, Mr. Rothnie, Mr. H.R. P. Moberly, Mr. Luard, Mr. Cortazzi, Sir A. Duff, Sir A. Parsons, Mr. Butler, and others.