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Blair tells Pakistan not to test

British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Thursday urged Pakistan to follow the example of Brazil and Argentina and refrain from nuclear testing, despite India's five explosions last week.

"I do ask them also to look at the example of Brazil and Argentina who were countries who could have gone down this road of nuclear testing but took the decision not to,'' Blair told the House of Commons.

He reported on last week's summit of the world's top industrialised nations which he hosted. Britain and the other European powers, Russia, France, Germany and Italy, resisted calls by the United States, Canada and Japan for them all to impose economic sanctions against India.

Instead, the Group of Eight nations issued a critical statement.

"There was grave concern at the implication of India's action for international security, and agreement that it had reduced India's standing in the world and her ability to play a central role,'' Blair said.

UNI

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