Pakistan's Nuke Chief

this is kind of old news and he is being used as a scapegoat, it involves a few more people than just this guy. at an informal regional security meeting a few years ago, with many south asian and south east asian politicians attending as well as a few security specialists, the pakistani rep was being criticized for giving north koreans nuclear technology. However, he kept on saying that he didnt give it to them, he didnt give it to them. Finally he gave in and said, "I repeat, i didnt give nuclear technology to the north koreans, I SOLD it to them, theres a difference". unfortunetly this doesnt make the news, but this nuke chief is being the scapegoat for an administration that consciously sold technology to the north koreans.

 

The bigger issue is that we invaded another country (Iraq), citing the possibility that they might proliferate WMD. The invasion and subsequent occupation has served as a huge distraction from dealing with legitimate security threats like Pakistan, finding Bin Laden, etc.

 

Funny thing is, he's not much of a tech guy. He basically stole the designs from the nucular company he worked for in Europe, and propagated it.

 

Questions Over Pakistan Gov't Role in Nuke Scandal
Wed February 04, 2004 10:36 PM ET
http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=4287061


ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The mystery of how the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb could have proliferated atomic secrets without the knowledge of the government dominated local newspaper comments on Thursday, a day after his dramatic personal apology.

Top scientist and national hero Abdul Qadeer Khan made a somber address on state television absolving the government and fellow scientists of blame in an apparent bid by all concerned to draw a line under a proliferation scandal stretching from Libya to North Korea.

"This should strengthen the government's case of its ignorance of the unauthorized activities by some of its officials, but it does not quite clear up how the proliferation was undertaken undetected," The News wrote in an editorial on its Web site.

"This is the point that needs to be cleared up as Dr Khan's statement only admits half the fact," it said. "It can be expected that the government will provide the necessary information to satisfactorily put an end to the case."

Commentators said Khan's confession smacked of a cover-up, possibly part of a wider deal to spare the powerful military unwanted scrutiny in any trial and to allow President Pervez Musharraf to sidestep pressure from Islamists and nationalists.

The United States, which has urged Pakistan to stop illegal proliferation to what it considers "rogue" states, has publicly backed Musharraf, who is a key ally in its war on terror.

The exposure of one of the greatest nuclear proliferation scandals in history has raised worry that the size of a nuclear black market used by Khan to sell technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea may be far bigger than initially feared.

UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR SUPERMARKET

Several Western diplomats told Reuters they suspected the Pakistan-led black market uncovered by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) might only be the tip of the iceberg.

Media attention has focused on Khan's atomic aid to Libya, Iran and North Korea. But diplomats said it could not be ruled out other countries had been customers of his network of nuclear "middlemen."

The case is sensitive for the United States since it is eager to avoid jeopardizing the position of Musharraf as leader of Pakistan, which -- along with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia -- is one of the key three nations with which Washington is allied in the war on terror.

Musharraf has already made many enemies in Pakistan for supporting the U.S.-led war on terror and trying to make peace with India. The general narrowly survived two assassination attempts late last year blamed on disgruntled Islamic militants.

Khan's words appeared intended to distance Musharraf.

"There was never ever any kind of authorization for these activities by the government. I take full responsibility for my actions and seek your pardon," the silver-haired 69-year-old said in his television address, speaking in English.

Western diplomats and many Pakistanis believe Khan could not have sold nuclear secrets and sent technology for enriching uranium abroad without the knowledge of top military officials.

A key part of the investigation focused on Khan's vast personal fortune, which press reports said he may have amassed through selling secrets.

NOT EMBARRASSING MUSHARRAF

An open trial of Khan could lead to embarrassing evidence implicating the army, which Musharraf heads, and make a national martyr of the scientist. Analysts say Musharraf may have agreed to pardon Khan in return for his apology.

The cabinet was due to meet later in the day to consider Khan's "mercy petition."

Khan sought to clear his fellow scientists, who he said acted under his instructions. Four other scientists have been questioned in the investigation along with two brigadiers responsible for security at the nuclear facility where he worked.

A senior military official told Pakistani journalists on Sunday that Khan had made a detailed statement confessing to supplying designs, hardware and materials used to make enriched uranium for atomic bombs to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

Khan has been reported in foreign media as saying he acted on the indirect instructions of two former army chiefs, Generals Aslam Beg and Jehangir Karamat. Beg has denied the charge.

Pakistan originally denied its nuclear secrets and technology had been leaked, either officially or by individuals.

But it launched an investigation in November after the IAEA provided evidence pointing to Pakistani involvement in Iran's nuclear program. Similar links have been found with Libya.

 

Excellent point, gifford, that some of us have made numerous times here. I think the truth of this is sinking in with the public. Bush hasn't made us safer, far from it.

As for Khan, the guy is a crook who would ordinarily be executed under an Islamist regime like Pakistan's, but a trial would be a "dangerous embarrassment" to the current government. Don't be surprised if he has an "accident" somewhere down the line, however. He knows too much about those in the military who made what he did possible and had to of helped, in my opinion.

Musharraf is probably the best of a bad lot for the US, which is one hell of a bad situation. Long term, Pakistan may be so dangerous to this country and the world's safety that Iraq under Saddam could end up looking like Denmark in comparison.
(my apologies to any Danes out there!)

 

I've also been extremely concerned about unsecured nuclear material in Russia and her former provinces, since the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Securing that material should be one of our highest, if not the highest, national security priority. Yet it seems to get little attention.

 

actually, its quite clear to me now that the guy isnt responsible. First of all, to send over nuclear technology, its not as simple as saving it as a word document and clicking send. you need transport for equipment, peices etc., are they telling me that this one guy has his own private planes that he used to fly all that stuff over? unlikely. Also keep in mind that several years ago, the pakistanis launched a missile that was IDENTICAL to a Taepodong N.Korean missile. theres no question that it was a replica. what did north korea get for it? what this guy Khan is taking the blame for. He isnt getting any punishment at all, he's just being a scapegoat for the government. otherwise bush would be all over their ass about

 

Man sells nuke secrets for million$ to bad guys, man gets busted, man says sorry in public, man gets off/public forgives. What am I missing? !!

 

Pakistan isn't part of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

A.Q. Khan is regarded as a hero by some in Pakistan because he is the father of <i>The Islamic Bomb</i>. I never expected the <i>Government of Pakistan</i> to come down hard on him. Protecting high level military personnel by taking the <i>blame</i> is part of the deal for him.

 

which makes him the perfect scapegoat because no one gets hurt. unless the nukes are ever used, of course

 

just coming from the pakistani point of view (i used to have a roommate from that nation):

http://www.f-16.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=77&page=1

In September 1989 Pakistan paid $685 million for 28 F-16's. The US imposed an embargo and banned the delivery of the F-16s. The planes were sold to other nations instead or used by the US military. And the US govt refused to issue a refund...

Only in 1998 did the US agree to a settlement. The United States announced it would pay Pakistan $326.9 million in cash and up to $140 million in other compensation (mostly wheat) to settle the eight-year dispute. No interest was ever paid on the money owed.

So all in all, the US govt decided to rip off an already indebted Pakistan for around half a billion dollars.

=========================
Safe to say, most Pakistani adults don't exactly think highly of the United States. Meanwhile, alternative arms sources China (its closest ally) and North Korea always pays and always deliver the goods, even going as far as exchanging technology.

If I remembered correctly, the deal between North Korea and Pakistan was missile technology for nuclear technology.

The Pakistani nuclear programme was in turn aided by China in order to counterbalance India's nuke. And Pakistan's need for missile technology was due to India's own development of advanced medium range ballistic missiles.

Most people proliferate for a reason. Unless you're dirt-poor like Russia or North Korea, it's rarely simply for hard cold cash. China, for example, has stopped much of its proliferation activities because it can afford to now (as in they no longer need the currency income to support their ongoing weapons programmes). That's partly why Pakistan HAD TO turn to North Korea. As for Iran and Libya, they obviously had to get nukes because one particular nuclear power (who could that be?) constantly threatened war. And their sworn enemy, Israel, was already the recipient of plenty of U.S. and French aid (dare we say proliferation?) in developing their own nuke.

A.Q. Shah is a national hero because every time Pakistan's archenemy India pointed a new weapon at the Pakistanis, they turned to him for an answer. And each time he was their savior. First developing the nukes. And then the missiles. And forever improving them with increasing range and destructive power.

When nations are locked in an arms race, with millions of lives at stake, I think as a general rule, morality goes out the window. The U.S. hired Werner von Braun without much hesitation. The French were still testing nukes in the South Pacific in the 1990s. China didn't consider espionage of critical US WMD secrets to be a great sin.

 

October 2001

<a HREF="http://www.dawn.com/2001/10/25/top5.htm">US likely to revive annual economic aid, says official</a>

<i>ISLAMABAD, Oct 24: The United States is considering reviving Pakistan's annual economic assistance under USAID program which had been suspended many years ago.

"My department has proposed the revival of USAID to Pakistan and now a final decision has to be taken by the Bush government over the issue," said Mr Bear McConnell, Director of the Central Asian Task Force at the US Agency for International Development.

He told reporters here on Wednesday at the residence of the US Ambassador to Pakistan that Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Pakistan was likely to be restored soon. However, he pointed out that his government would be taking any final decision about it.

"May be this issue of USAID is decided along with the bigger economic package that is currently being finalized for Pakistan", he added.
<b>
Pakistan had been receiving 400 to 450 million dollars USAID, including wheat, under PL 480 programme till early 80s which was later suspended.

He said that the US had decided to develop new political and economic relations with Pakistan and that the revival of annual suspended aid could be around the corner.
</b>
Mr McConnell said that United States was contributing an additional 320 million dollars in humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan. Much of this money, he said, would go for purchasing foods and other important commodities including edible oil.

In reply to a question he said that most of the assistance like wheat and blankets were coming from the United States for Afghan people. However, he said, a lot of new purchases would also be made from Pakistan to help improve the country's economy.

He said that 45,000 tons of wheat had already arrived in Pakistan while another 65,000 tons was in the process of being shipped.

Later, in November and December, he said, 100,000 tons of wheat would be offered. "Then two consignments of 55,000 tons and 17,000 tons of wheat will reach here in January and February next year," he further stated.

When asked how could food drops reach the needy people when there was heavy bombing in Afghanistan, he said whatever was possible was being done through the United Nations and other NGOs.
</i>
<hr color=green>
On balance, the U.S. has sent more money to Pakistan than was held in the frozen F-16's deal.

 

what is the thing about Pakistan... "Quio Kapara, Shanni hei", is something I learned from a nice old Pakaistani co-worker...Of course I can't spell it, but I think it's meaning is apparent here, because it translates to: What is your worries?...

and to that I say just that...Last I checked, Musharraf, didn't have two little boys running around the country-side, raping, killing and torturing fellow country men,...Last I checked, Musharraf didn't spray his people wth something of ill-repute...Last I checked, Musharraf worked with us on issues,...Is the country perfect,...far from it,...Do they have village psycho-delic freakouts that would like to push the button and don't care if they go, if we go?...Heck yeah,...but in a system of a country, the process that enacts the direction is the governmental wishes and authority,...so far so good in that area.

The need to address threats starts at the governmental outlook that is either indifferent, conducive, or repellant of terroristic ideology and actions...That is our threat! That is where we start, and yes the world is safer when you prioritize in this way...