well, i feel the meeting was held, after qadeer has spilled the beans that the military officials including musharraf were fully aware of the nuclear proliferation...still only one view of the story is being showed, qadeer's side isnt being given any projection...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by zaavia: *
well, i feel the meeting was held, after qadeer has spilled the beans that the military officials including musharraf were fully aware of the nuclear proliferation...still only one view of the story is being showed, qadeer's side isnt being given any projection...
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He's to talk to the press soon. Dont know exactly when but he will.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Malik73: *
1) Ask Qadeer to hand over all this cash and property back to the Pakistani state, as it would go a long way to wipe away a great portion of our external debt.
2) At the same time ask him to document all the information he has acquired about the nuclear programmes of Iran and other states he may have helped (the Libyans have already volunteered theirs), and then pass all this info over to the IAEA.
Then pardon Qadeer and others. Classic political deal, Pakistani style which reaps great economic benefit for us, and restores international favour for us at the same time. :)
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:)
Thank you 5Abi, hate to say this, but I said as much as in my first post, and continually reiterated this in my subsequent posts. Did I not tell people to ignore all the speculatory, contradictory and unsourced news articles flying about everywhere? 
Nuclear scientist ‘pleads mercy’
The Pakistani scientist alleged to have sold nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea has asked for clemency, the government says. Abdul Qadeer Khan met President Pervez Musharraf in Rawalpindi and accepted full responsibility for all transfers, a statement read. Dr Khan, widely seen in Pakistan as a hero, asked for forgiveness in light of his development of nuclear programmes. President Musharraf said the case had traumatised the nation. Pakistan began an inquiry into possible illegal transfers late last year after the UN passed on information it had gathered about Iran and Libya’s nuclear programmes. A government statement issued on Wednesday read: "Dr AQ Khan submitted before the president that he accepts full responsibility for all the proliferation activities. “Dr Khan has submitted his mercy petition to the president and requested clemency in view of his services to national security.”
Dr Khan said on state TV: “The president was extremely kind and understanding… I explained to him all things. I gave him the background, what is happening, what had happened and he appreciated the frankness.” The government statement quoted Dr Khan as saying he “realised these activities, which were in clear violation of Pakistani laws, could have seriously jeopardised Pakistan’s nuclear capability and put the nation at risk”. On Saturday, Dr Khan was sacked as special science and technology adviser to the president. Then on Sunday officials said he had signed a confession admitting he had traded nuclear technology information to other countries. Later on Wednesday, President Musharraf is scheduled to meet the top nuclear decision-making authority to discuss Dr Khan’s plea for mercy.
Pakistan government clean in Atomic proliferation: Armitage
(Updated at 1050 PST)
TOKYO: Only individuals, and not the Pakistan government, are involved in nuclear proliferation, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has said.
The US has held significant discussions with the Pakistan government, which has been “very forthright in the last several years with us about proliferation”, Armitage, who was interviewed by a Japan’s newspaper, said.
He added: “I think there is a growing realisation that President Pervez Musharraf is the right man in the right time in the leadership of Pakistan. The very fact that some people are trying to assassinate him indicates to me that he is being successful in trying to bring Pakistan into a modern and productive life, both in South Asia and more broadly in the world.”
Musharraf in power “is something to be applauded and supported, and the Government of Japan is supportive of Pakistan. We certainly are, and we will continue.”
That must disappoint all those who have been predicting that the US would condemn Pakistan, and slap sanctions on it again. The following will dishearten them further…
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/Feb-2004/2/main/top1.asp
Pakistan to get record $700 million
Pakistan will get a record fund allocation of $ 700 million from the United States for financial year 2004-5. The amount is part of the five-year (05 to 09) aid package that totals $ 3 billion - $ 1.5 billion in defence and $ 1.5 billion in economic support assistance. In an interview with APP, the Deputy Chief of the Mission, Mohammad Sadiq Monday said the United States Administration has suggested “a record fund allocation of over 700 million dollars for Pakistan for the U.S. budgetary year 2005.” It is higher than the previous fund allocation for the current year, which amounted to 395 million dollars, of which figure, half was utilized in debt repayments saving on the debt interest amount. “This is despite the fact that there was immense opposition from Indian lobby and others, who tried to bring about different enactments in a bid to halt the proposed earmarkings,” Mr.Sadiq stated.
Out of $700 million, the allocations are $300 million in Economic Support Fund, $300 million for Foreign Military Financing, and remaining $100 million for other areas including allocations for child health development assistance, anti-terrrorism, border security and training, support for narcotics control. He said Pakistan has utilized the $200 million for Economic Support Fund for repayment of its debt. It helped in writing off of almost $500 million debt to the US.Pakistan’s foreign debt and liabilities total $35 billion, of which $33 billion is debt. The $3 billion package was announced by President George W. Bush at Camp David in a meeting with President General Pervez Musharraf on June 24, 2003. According to the agreement, $600 million will be disbursed each year - half of the amount being for defence equipment purchases and remaining half for economic development. President George W. Bush signed and submitted to the Congress the budgetary allocations Monday.
Once more, President General Musharraf's leadership takes Pakistan through the storm and into the calm on the other side undamaged, by the grace of God :)
:k:
A Q Khan making national address on PTV this very moment…
What a drama.
As soon as AQ Khan threatened to expose Musharraf and former Army chiefs, the tune started changing.
Abdul Qadeer Khan admitted to everything, blamed no government/military officials, apologised and asked for clemency.
The allegations against him of accumulating billions of dollars, multiple properties and such maybe greatly exaggerated, and I do believe he and others were genuinely motivated more by sympathies for fellow Muslim countries. But as we have found out (which is a lesson for all Pakistani's) the greatest betrayal against Dr Qadeer and Pakistan was by these same Muslim countries, who had no qualms about getting us into such trouble.
Hopefully we will learn this lesson, put Pakistan first and foremost from now on and come together as nation. I hope the government 'pardon' Dr Qadeer, as by this admission I believe he has once again shown that he is a great patriot and hero, and then we can move on...
I don’t think any of us was expecting US to take tough action against its own man, i.e. Musharraf. If you read the excerpts below you will understand the mindset of US Administrtation at present.
Wonder what Musharraf has offerd in return 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/20040203-4.html
White House briefing of 3rd January, 2004
EXCERPTS
Q Two subjects. First, Dr. Khan, the so-called father of the Pakistani bomb, is now saying that top leaders of the Pakistani army, including General Musharraf, were aware of his illegal transfer of expertise and nuclear weapons technology to Iran and Libya and elsewhere. First, does that square with what the administration knows? And what would be the consequence for someone like General Musharraf –
MR. McCLELLAN: President Musharraf has assured us that Pakistan was not involved in any kind of proliferation – I’m talking about the government of Pakistan. We value those assurances. The ongoing investigation into these proliferation issues by the government of Pakistan is a sign of how strongly Pakistan takes that commitment.
Q If that investigation leads to General Musharraf, as Dr. Kahn seems to suggest it should, what would be the consequences for his relationship with the United States?
MR. McCLELLAN: The spread – well, one, I think I just addressed that matter. The spread of nuclear weapons-related goods and technology is a matter of global concern, particularly since the attacks of September 11th. And I think that the investigation by the government of Pakistan demonstrates their commitment to working to address proliferation issues. And we are working with other nations, as well, to stop individuals who are involved in the proliferation, as well as to work with other issues on the proliferation security initiative, which is another tool to help stop the spread of these technologies to states and other non-state actors.
**Q So is it fair to say that when it comes to Pervez Musharraf, the President’s attitude is, we value his assurances that he’s not doing these things now, we don’t really mind that he did them before?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, no, I don’t know that I would characterize it the way you did. I made it clear – very clear that we value his assurances. He has assured us that Pakistan was not involved in any of the proliferation activity that you are talking about. And we continue to expect Pakistan to follow through on those assurances.
Q You’re taking him on faith, Scott, or do you have evidence to back that up?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, John, I would point out that Pakistan is working closely with us on a number of fronts in the global war on terrorism. And we are continuing to work closely with Pakistan to win the war on terrorism, and we appreciate the efforts they are taking to address these proliferation issues.
Q Again, are you taking his assurances on faith?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I said, we value his assurances.
Q But are you taking them on faith, or do you have independent evidence to back up that what he’s saying is true?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that I would leave it the way I did. We value his assurances.**
It is for this very reason that Musharraf so wisely created National Command Authority to protect Pak's nuclear assets. Since its establishment, the leaks on nuclear tech stopped considerably.
Malik, you bring a good point, Pak should look out for her own national interest and not trust the "ummah" of Iran, Libya or Saudia. Iran and Libya ratted out and pointed fingers at Pakistan should think twice before trusting these countries. It should be noted here that North Korea has never implicated Pakistan or linked its nuclear tech to Pakistan, as far as I know. Thats something to think about too.
As for North Korea, US had satellite pictures of loading/unloadingof objectionable material on PAF planes in North Korea. And as I said, for the time being Musharraf serves the purpose well, hence US is not going to push too hard but rather short soft nudges from the back will do the trick.(or rather are doing it already)
Yes, Yes. Dr.A.Q. Himself carried all material, put into PAF planes, flew it personally to Libya, North Korea etc. 
Meanwhile all government agencies were totally unaware of anything. Poor fellows.
The only good thing from this drama is that the immediate national/international crisis is averted.
But lets wait to see what kind of deal Musharraf made with America for them to buy this nonsense.
Mr Dhir, yes Musharraf is a great diplomat, a shrewd and brave military officer (Ive personally known him), a honest man and above all a staunch patriot. He has handled this crisis and all others before this gracefully and tactfully. He is the best man for Pakistan at the time. And yes he serves Pakistan well and US is pleased with him. Now whether you or India is pleased with this situation, is topic question of another thread :D
5abi,
If you think by pardoning AQK the crisis is over, you are living in a fool’s paradise.
The pardon drama only works if it is approved by American godfathers.
See this report in The Telegraph - UK
As to the reasons for the pardon, we all know that. This report also confirms it.
:hehe:
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
Mr Dhir, yes Musharraf is a great diplomat, a shrewd and brave military officer (Ive personally known him), a honest man and above all a staunch patriot. He has handled this crisis and all others before this gracefully and tactfully. He is the best man for Pakistan at the time. And yes he serves Pakistan well and US is pleased with him. Now whether you or India is pleased with this situation, is topic question of another thread :D
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Mr. Musharraf is as great a diplomat as he is allowed to become by western powers for their own ends. Can't comment on his bravery and he may be shrewed. Honesty is subjective, sometimes you are honest to your country, sometimes you are honest to yourself, sometimes you are honest to a cause, etc. And as far as i can see he hasn't handled any crisis tactfully, rather he has handled the crisis to the satisfaction of Western powers.
And rest assured, we are enjoying the situation, knowing fully well that whatever is happening is happening on the instructions of masters. (US)
The end of dictator Musharraf will be worse than Zia's...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Khilaari: *
5abi,
If you think by pardoning AQK the crisis is over, you are living in a fool's paradise.
The pardon drama only works if it is approved by American godfathers.
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The Americans probably realise that Musharraf is as good a man as any to deal with the situation so yes it's in their interests. It's also in our interests as well to send these fundos back where they came from, Saudi Arabia.
My main concern would be the $300 million for Foreign Military Financing. Why do we need to spend half of that aid on military when we are hopefully moving towards a settlement with India? Seems like a waste of resources to me.
Mr.Xtreme,
You are being naive.
There is no "good man" in international diplomacy.
If the US is amenable to put its stamp of approval on this drama, then we must realize that it will demand its pound of flesh elsewhere.
My bet is that there will be big operations in FATA soon. That is why US is confident that Osama and Mullah Omar will be captured soon.
Also note that the US has carefully avoided publically stating anything regarding the nuclear issues. Their leaks say that, yes we are willing to trust Musharraf for now. But they are leaving the possibility open for sanctions whould Musharraf be replaced.
"We trust Pakistan" has been replaced by "We trust Musharraf".
As someone said, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson "trusted" Ayub. Then all aid was abandoned after 1965. Nixon trusted Yahya. Aid gone in the 1970s. Reagan/Bush Sr. trusted Zia, then sanctions after Zia was gone.
Now Bush trusts Musharraf.
De-ja-vu all over again.