Thursday, January 12 2006 15:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: US efforts to tackle the proliferation issue with regard to Pakistan and the A Q Khan network have been 'less than full measure', influential American Senator John Kerry said here today (Jan 1,2006).

Addressing a press conference here, the former Presidential candidate against George W Bush last year, said there was a need for the US and other countries to 'renew atmospherics' with regard to curtailment of proliferation.

"Over the last years, our own efforts on non-proliferation, particularly with regard to Pakistan, A Q Khan and China, have been less than full measure," he said.

"There is need here for the US itself as well as other countries to renew atmospherics with regard to non-proliferation," Kerry said.

Referring to the Indo-US deal on civilian nuclear cooperation, he said it provided an opportunity to strengthen the overall non-proliferation programme.

On the Iran issue, he said happenings there have to be taken 'utmost seriously' by all countries involved, including the US, India, China, Russia and the European community.

"It can't be ignored. We have to be responsible," he said.