It is widely believed that Saudi Arabia has been a sole financier of Pakistan's own integrated atomic bomb project since 1974, a programme founded by former prime minister Zulfi Bhutto.
In 1987 it was reported that Saudi Arabia purchased between 50 and 60 Chinese-made CSS-2 intermediate-range ballistic missiles equipped with a high explosive warhead, which have a range of 2,800 km with a payload of either 2,150 or 2,500 kg together with between 10 and 15 transport vehicle systems.
In 1994, Muhammad Khilewi, the second-in-command of the Saudi mission to the United Nations, applied for asylum in the United States. He provided a packet of 10,000 documents that alleged long time Saudi support of the Iraqi nuclear weapons program. According to these documents, during the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq, the Saudis supported the Iraqi nuclear program with $5 billion on the condition that successful nuclear technology and possibly even nuclear weapons would be transferred to Saudi Arabia. Khilewi obtained asylum in the US, with the consent of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi officials denied the allegations. Senior Clinton administration officials who were responsible for Mideast affairs at the time (dismissed the allegations).
In 2003 it was reported that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had entered a secret agreement on "nuclear cooperation" providing Saudi Arabia with nuclear weapons technology in return for access to cheap oil for Pakistan.
In 2003, a leaked strategy paper laid out three possible options for the Saudi government: to acquire a nuclear deterrent, to ally with and become protected by an existing nuclear nation, or to try to reach agreement on having a nuclear-free Middle East.
(At the end of 2003, rather unexpectedly, Libya's Gaddafi suddenly announced that Libya would expose its entire WMD programs to inspections, and to eliminate them.)
In March 2006, the German magazine Cicero reported that Saudi Arabia had since 2003 received assistance from Pakistan to acquire nuclear missiles and warheads. Satellite photos allegedly reveal an underground city and nuclear silos with Ghauri rockets in Al-Sulaiyil, south of the capital Riyadh.
In March 2007, foreign ministers of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council met in Saudi Arabia to discuss progress in plans agreed in December 2006, for a joint civilian nuclear program.
Today's Debka (subscription only) headline is "China to Help Saudis Gain a Nuclear Bomb". "The oil-for-nuclear aid deal is a side-product of the US Iran oil embargo."
U.S. intelligence agencies are closely watching Saudi Arabia for signs that the oil-rich kingdom will seek to develop nuclear weapons, amid tensions in the region centered on Irans nuclear program.
One key warning sign was the cooperation agreement signed Sunday in Riyadh by China and Saudi Arabia.
According to the Saudi Jidda News, the agreement will seek joint development of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, which will help to meet the kingdoms rising demand for energy and cut its growing dependence on depleting resources.
The agreement was signed by King Abdullah and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and followed earlier public remarks by a senior Saudi prince who said the country should develop nuclear weapons to counter rival Irans nuclear arms.
Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal said Dec. 5 that our efforts and those of the world have failed to convince Israel to abandon its weapons of mass destruction, as well as Iran. Therefore it is our duty toward our nation and people to consider all possible options, including the possession of these weapons.
The administrations argument against Irans reason for developing nuclear energy that Tehran has enough oil to produce electrical power for a century also would apply to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia holds some of the largest oil reserves in the world and is Chinas main supplier of crude oil.
Saudi Arabia last year held talks with the Obama administration on U.S. nuclear cooperation and reached a deal for nuclear development with South Korea in November.
However, the Chinese deal has raised concerns because of Chinas past role as an arms proliferator. China supplied Pakistan with nuclear-weapon design information during the 1980s. That technology was discovered in Libya in 2003 after Tripoli decided to give up its covert nuclear program.
China in the 1980s supplied Saudi Arabia with 36 DF-3 medium-range ballistic missiles that, although not equipped with nuclear warheads, are considered nuclear-capable systems.
One U.S. official said of the China-Saudi nuclear deal: Theres no reason at this time to be concerned that this deal is anything other than what they say it is.
* TOPIX > AQAP COMMANDER SAYS "THE ISLAMIC CALIPHATE IS COMING".
All good Muslims know not the time or the hour, but yet all must prepare for the coming, He sezzes, even it means dying or giving up their $$$ + Homes + Kiddies, etc.
#1
I think the frack fear-mongers are just useful idiots. Looking at the bigger picture we see government efforts to restrict energy supply and increase price through 1) frac regulation, 2) Keystone pipeline rejection, 3) deep water drilling 'permatorium' (and extensive permit delays everywhere), 4) removal of lands from oil & gas leasing, 5) increased restrictions on uranium leasing and mining, 6) radical restrictions on CO2 emissions, along with power plant closures and regulatory fees. These are just big hitters off the top of my head. But they all combine to "make energy prices necessarily skyrocket", even at huge cost in lost jobs and damaged economy. WHY? In my opinion it is all intended to make 'green' alternative energy projects (windmills, solar panels, electric cars etc.) look halfway cost-competitive, to justify continuation of crony capitalist funding of hundreds of Solyndras. It's a simple explanation that fits a lot of seemingly irrational government actions. Or I could give our 'leaders' the benefit of the doubt and suggest the actions are intended to broaden the time available for transition to non-fossil-fuels, through deceptive means, and with the collateral damage of the crony capitalist corruption.
#2
Government, highly overpaid beaurocracies the beaurocrats hope and dream. To the point that once they have established thier beaurocratic empire, (the EPA) they will create whatever fables and lies to keep it propped up and the cash coming.
On the other hand, America needs energy and thank God for the energy sector refusing to let these voodoo beaurocrats slow them down. One company built 80 fracking trucks last year. This year they are not going to let anyone get in thier way of building 180 fracking trucks.
#3
Most people have never heard about flamable water and other things currently associated with Fracking (I hadn't, except in the context of the Soviet environmental degredation). Since this stuff wasn't reported widely its easy for a lot of people to believe its new and Fracking caused it. Step back and think about that. IF you believed that its kind of scary.
They are useful idiots, but probably just ignorant and not the vile ideologues that are trying to stop keystone.
#4
The depth of most shale gas deposits drilled is between 6,000 and 10,000 feet water aquifers exist at an average depth of 500 feet. It is absurd to think that "fracked" gas can pass through thousands of feet of impermeable rock.
#7
Got any fun "General Relativity is a hoax?" sites?
Bright Pebbles,
Try this. The guy is impervious to reason.
Sigh. GPS has to make adjustments to account for both special and general relativity. Without these adjustments the system wouldn't work! Atomic clocks are very sensitive to the effects due to SR and GR.
Posted by: Mike Ramsey ||
01/20/2012 13:35 Comments ||
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#8
"Not only is it absurd, there isn't a documented case of it actually happening anywhere."
It can if the pipes aren't properly sealed, and this has happened. The point being that fracking isn't a bad thing, but like anything else, it can cause problems if the operators are lazy/sloppy/corrupt/incompetent.
#9
#1 - the opponents of fossil fuel development have a not-so-secret political agenda they're pursuing. Protection of the environment is just a cover for it.
[Dawn] THE Pak Taliban`s claim that they killed Mohmand ... Named for the Mohmand clan of the Sarban Pahstuns, a truculent, quarrelsome lot. In Pakistain, the Mohmands infest their eponymous Agency, metastasizing as far as the plains of Beautiful Downtown Peshawar, Charsadda, and Mardan. Mohmands are also scattered throughout Pakistan in urban areas including Karachi, Lahore, and Quetta. In Afghanistan they are mainly found in Nangarhar and Kunar... Agency newsman Mukarram Khan Atif, who worked for Voice of America and a private national television channel, adds a serious dimension to the issue of journalists` safety. Whereas media persons, especially in the northwest, have often received veiled threats from orcs, this is the first time that an myrmidon group has openly grabbed credit for the death of a journalist. With the Taliban threatening to kill more journalists, those reporting on the conflict have now become major targets to be pursued anywhere, even in places far from the conflict zone, as seen in the case of Mr Atif who was killed in Charsadda where he had moved for reasons of safety. The active targeting of newsmen by the Taliban will not only have repercussions for the safety of journalists reporting on militancy. It will also mean thon the lam parts of the northwest could well become a news blackout zone, with serious consequences particularly in the context of abuses that may never come to light.
Journalists` watchdog organizations place Pakistain high on the `impunity index`, i.e. the country is considered a place where people are not just killed but where the killers arelikely to get away with their deed as well. The state has consistently refrained from carrying out credible investigations or prosecutions into journalists` deaths. In doing so, it has emboldened those that seek to stifle the flow of information. This is not the only concern. The state`s tolerance of myrmidon groups and hard-line religious rhetoric is also detrimental to the war against militancy. As the Human Rights Commission of Pakistain said after Sunday`s sectarian strike on a Chehlum procession in Khanpur, `sectarian violence continues in Pakistain because the cause is usuaHyleftunaddressed.
And it is clear that this happens because nearly all institutions of the state have a soft corner for religious extremism`. The same warning applies to terrorism: unless the state sheds its soft spot for religlously motivated extremism this too will grow into an entrenched, even tolerated malaise.
A warning bell must also be sounded about the risks of glorifying the myrmidons` cause in any way by other actors, including sections of the media. Objectivity and balance must be maintained at all times; brutality and barbarism must be shown for what they are.
Without this effort, myrmidon groups will continue to target all those who are vocal about their activities.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/20/2012 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[3 views]
Top|| File under: TTP
#1
When I think of Pakistan, I can't help thinking about that Far Side Crisis Center cartoon.
The real, fundamental difference between winners and losers is that when things get painful, winners change their behavior. Losers just keep on failing over, and over, again.
The Pak people are going to have to insist on the rule of law and an intolerance of terrorism. Otherwise, Pakistan will continue being the crisis center until the threshold of that waterfall is crossed and something else replaces what is now Pakistan.
Posted by: Mike Ramsey ||
01/20/2012 9:38 Comments ||
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#3
Russians have access and detailed knowledge of where the assets are. They don't mind wet work. They'll sell Iran stuff, for cash, but do they they really want a Muslim bomb on their border?
I'd like to believe that it's us somehow, but Occam's razor says it's the Russkis.
Added long game bonus: Iran becomes more dependent to Russian know-how (for a fee).
#5
Jimmy Carter. Had we done to Iran when the embassy was seized what we've done to Iraq for failure to comply with a ceasefire agreement, we wouldn't be asking this question today.
#12
The regime knocks-off plenty of people. Why the excuses? Perhaps they want to intimidate, but taking direct responsibility might send the educated running to foreign shelters. By blaming those foreign shelters, some might be discouraged from taking that route.
I liked Uneter's point about the Russians. Do they really want a nuclear armed Iran on their border? Even if the exchange was with Israel, the radioactive cloud that would drift towards Russia would make Chernobyl look like 3-mile island in comparison.
Posted by: Mike Ramsey ||
01/20/2012 13:23 Comments ||
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According to this article, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards have completely taken over Iran's intelligence service and are currently training for a mission to liquidate Ahmadinejad and his supporters.
#1
Two antichrists at each others throats. But if its true than good riddance Ahmadinejad; it sucks not having an army. My question is what sock puppet would be stupid enough to replace him?
Regarding that assassination force ready to knock off Iranians who oppose the dear supreme leader, what makes them think that the revolutionary guard wouldn't be target number 1? Good luck with that.
Posted by: Mike Ramsey ||
01/20/2012 9:18 Comments ||
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#2
Its the rare Praetorian Guard that does not have a plan for disposing of its Praetor.
h/t Instapundit
... The things that I do know are that this country is precariously balanced on an edge -- and if it goes the wrong way, the country as you and I know it is finished. What I know is, as I said yesterday: Whatever Mitt Romney's tax rate is, he's not responsible for that.
Mitt Romney nor Newt Gingrich nor Rick Santorum nor Rick Perry have anything to do with the economic misery in this country. That is traceable to one man and one location: Barack Obama and the Oval Office.
#1
Barack Obama is a problem for the country now. The larger problem is Progressives or whatever one wants to call them; statists, socialists, communists, liberals, etc.
#2
"The larger problem is Progressives or whatever one wants to call them; statists, socialists, communists, liberals, etc"
NEA,SEIU, NBC,CBS,MSNBC,CSNBC,ABC, ACORN,UAW,DNC.
New Gallup poll shows Romney support falling right before the SC primary. This is a big deal. After a close second in Iowa and a win in NH, Romney would have expected a great deal of momentum, and indeed he did spike above the 25% support ceiling which has been in place since 2008. An implosion now was not part of the plan.
Romney's plan has always been to win by default. Split the opposition, attack anyone who breaks out and limp over the finish line with his meager 25% support. At some point the rank and file would hold their noses and support him.
What went wrong? Gingrich got a lifeline. Perry and Palin helped, as did another show stopping debate performance. Also, most Republicans still can't stand Romney. Whether the issue is guns, taxes, abortion, climate change or the individual mandate, Romney is on the wrong side.
What does this all mean? Rick Santorum must drop out of the race RIGHT NOW. He won in Iowa because: 1) he had camped there for 6 months, and 2) he was "someone else" who had not yet been smeared by the Romney people. Well, Santorum right now is dead last in SC. He has no money and no organization outside of Iowa. He has no path to victory. But he does have a choice: help Romney by further splitting the vote, or give conservatives a fighting change by bowing out. Perry, faced with the same calculus, did the right thing. It's your turn now, Santorum.
#1
Throw Santorum a bone. Promise to make him Secretary of State or Attorney General.
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
01/20/2012 17:37 Comments ||
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#2
He'd have to wear a gas mask at DOJ until he got rid of Holder's stench.
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
01/20/2012 17:38 Comments ||
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#3
Romney does not have this sewed up at this point.
I have never seen candidates vetted as they have been by the MSM. These weasels never did this to Obama. They wanted him to be President so badly that he could have been Jack the Ripper and they would have covered it up. The MSM has tried to beat up on all of the leading Pub candidates. Just maybe the MSM and BO will get their comin uppins at election time for what they are doing. The MSM has tried to turn the Pub selection process into a circus with their smarmy gotcha questions.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Mohmand
