Inquiry Suggests Pakistanis Sold Nuclear Secrets (NYT)

[VolcanoJen]

And away we go... This has been leaked before, but it gets the front page treatment in Monday's New York Times. Is Pakistan next, and if so, why...because we think Bin Laden's there? Or...?

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/22/international/asia/22STAN.html

Excerpt:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 — A lengthy investigation of the father of Pakistan's atomic bomb, Abdul Qadeer Khan, by American and European intelligence agencies and international nuclear inspectors has forced Pakistani officials to question his aides and openly confront evidence that the country was the source of crucial technology to enrich uranium for Iran, North Korea and possibly other nations.

Until the past few weeks, Pakistani officials had denied evidence that the A. Q. Khan Research Laboratories, named for the man considered a national hero, had ever been a source of weapons technology to countries aspiring to acquire fissile material. Now they are backing away from those denials, while insisting that there has been no transfer of nuclear technology since President Pervez Musharraf took power four years ago.

Dr. Khan, a metallurgist who was charged with stealing European designs for enriching uranium a quarter century ago, has not yet been questioned. American and European officials say he is the centerpiece of their investigation, but that General Musharraf's government has been reluctant to take him on because of his status and deep ties to the country's military and intelligence services. A senior Pakistani official said in an interview that "any individual who is found associated with anything suspicious would be under investigation," and promised a sweeping inquiry.

Pakistan's role in providing centrifuge designs to Iran, and the possible involvement of Dr. Khan in such a transfer, was reported Sunday by The Washington Post. Other suspected nuclear links between Pakistan and Iran have been reported in previous weeks by other news organizations.

[Old and In the Way]

1. I think Seymour Hersesh broke this a few months ago......

probably wasn't ready for prime time.

Let's see, US forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel going after Iran, Pakistan's Mushareff is next (wonder what they know about 9/11?)....but didn't we just give them a bunch of money?

It makes me feel real good knowing George W. Bush has his hands and head around the whole devolving mess in the ME......

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. folks the Pakistani are our allies, really, I have a bridge...

now count on us going after them only after Musharaff buys it.

There was an attempt on his life recently and reality is... if he bought it the people (or at least some of those who want to replace him) are quite faniatical and the bad boys who have gotten in bed with Al Qaida.

Now I am sure this is a surprise for the WH, as they have ignored the real threast to go after Iraq... and the real thereat is the no man's land between afthanistan and pakistan...

So this I do not think is the BFEE, as they want the Paki to remain our chums and budies and friends, but with the attempts at peace with India.. we may see something really ad in Pakistan, for all concerned... well except Ossama and this part of the nightmare scenarios if we went to war in Iraq.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Well well, well

One of the nightmare scenarions of our war in Iraq was the
fall of Pak to radical islamic forces...

Musharaff narrowly escaped last week

Now he is under pressure

And we seem to be going two for one (Pak and Iran) for destaliziation and regime chance

Who is in charge of teh asylum?

[Nlighten1]

4. No shit Sherlocks!

Where did North Korea get some of their new nuclear technology from? Pakistan. Jebus H. Chrispies.

[bahrbearian]

5. I wonder who sold Isreal their Nuke Tech.