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Scientists used German, Lankan go-betweens to sell N-secrets
Rogue scientists from Pakistanâs nuclear weapons programme used German go-betweens to sell their secrets to Iran, a high-level government source said. The scientists, motivated entirely by money, were also helped by two Sri Lankan businessmen based in Dubai when they passed on details of Pakistani nuclear technology during the late 1980s. The disclosure follows reports that four scientists have been questioned over suspected links with Iran and lends credence to claims on Rantburg in Washington that Pakistan poses some of the biggest international security problems of the year ahead. Pakistan has long been suspected of responsibility for the proliferation of nuclear know-how, not only to Iran but also to North Korea.
| "No, no! Certainly not!... Well, maybe... But it was rogue scientists, not government policy!" |
The illegal sale of nuclear secrets came to light when President Pervez Musharraf visited Tehran after the Iranian governmentâs decision to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to see its facilities. Musharraf was caught unawares when the Iranians told him of the Pakistani scientistsâ involvement. They also said they had informed the United States. According to the source, who wishes to remain anonymous, Musharraf was aghast.
| Went through four extra rolls of "Holy Koran" brand toilet paper in a weekend... |
His horror soon turned to anger because while Pakistan was trying to protect its nuclear assets by convincing the world that it had stringent checks, the country had been betrayed in a way that made it appear to lack control over its scientists.
| "Uhhh... Define 'stringent'?" |
The embarrassment was compounded when a former army chief suggested that Pakistan sell its nuclear technology to Iran for a sum in the region of $20bn. The Pakistani scientists who were subsequently questioned included two men regarded as being close to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, the so-called father of Pakistanâs nuclear bomb. Suspicion also fell on Khan, who was built up to heroic proportions by successive Pakistani governments in the 1980s and 1990s. Last week the military guard had gone from Khanâs row of houses in an affluent district of Islamabad. A foreign ministry spokesman confirmed that he was being questioned. He has always denied any link with Iran.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-12-29 |
