Will he be able to just retain the damage to some rogue scientists? If he can do it, I’d admire him. This thing is too sensitive to just blame a few black sheep. Then again, necessity is the mother of all inventions. US will prefer to back up Musharraf on this one, and that works for him and for Pakistan.
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday it appeared Pakistani scientists had sold nuclear secrets abroad, but reiterated Islamabad’s position that there had been no official involvement.
Pakistan says it began questioning its nuclear scientists, including the father of its atomic bomb, Abdul Qadeer Khan, after the U.N. nuclear agency began investigating possible links between the Pakistani and Iranian nuclear programs.
Musharraf told CNN while attending the World Economic Forum (news - web sites) in Davos, Switzerland, that the investigation, launched in November, would be finished in “a few weeks.”
Asked the likely outcome, he replied: “Well, I would not like to predict, but it appears that some individuals, as I said, were involved for personal financial gain.”
Musharraf went further than past statements from his government that individual scientists “may” have transferred nuclear technology to neighboring Iran.
He said similar allegations had been made against European individuals and countries, “So it is not Pakistan alone.”
And he stressed: “There is no such evidence that any government personality or military personality was involved in this at all.”
Asked about reports that Pakistani scientists had also transferred technology to Libya and North Korea (news - web sites), he replied:
“I am not denying anything because we are investigating; we have sent teams to Libya, we have sent teams to Iran and we are in contact with the IAEA (the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency). We are collecting all the data…”
He vowed “stern action” against violators: “There is nothing that we want to hide, we want to be very up and clear about it that we will move against anybody who proliferated,” he said.
Pakistan would move against any violator “because they are enemies of the state,” he said.
Western diplomats have said Pakistani individuals may have helped both Tripoli and Pyongyang obtain the technology, in addition to Tehran.
My personal view is, and its totally a conjecture, that the scientists were only following orders. And now that the mess is known to everyone, these same scientists are being made scapegoats. Its similar to Kargil, that we didn't have the fall-back plan as to what will we do when it all comes out.
This issue of nuclear proliferation is much too delicate to be risked on some bribes. Even an idiot knows that. Those were nuclear scientists.
but for what reason?? if Iran has spilled their guts and ratted them out, i doubt it was part of some 'covert' military support mission between the two countries.
Thats the million dollar question here. What did Pakistan get in the deal? With NK, it was probably technology for missile-delivery. Its hard to figure out what were Iranians and Libyans offering. Pakistan never had particularly warm relationship with Tripoli anyway. Only Bhuttos were able to befriend Qaddafi. Relations with Iran are always on the borderline for one reason or the other. So it can either be money. Or the famous ummah factor. This mystery alone may save Musharraf from a real black eye.
KARACHI: Investigators probing the nuclear imbroglio have determined that at least two scientists acted inappropriately and exchanged information with Iran beyond the limit authorised to them by the government in late 1980s, according to senior officials.
Officials said in 1987 former military ruler General Zia-ul-Haq had approved a longstanding request from the Iranian government for an unpublicised cooperation in peaceful nuclear programme. But Zia had specifically limited Pak-Iran nuclear technology to non-military spheres.
“Just before his death in 1988 when I told Zia about Iran’s growing interest in non-peaceful nuclear matters, he asked me to play around but not to yield anything substantial at any cost,” said a top retired nuclear scientist, who asked not to be identified.
The scientist said he was aware that the Iranians were intensely pursuing the matter with General Aslam Beg, Zia’s successor, but did not know how Beg responded to the Iranian request because by that time he was not directly associated with the programme.
Pakistan had launched scores of military officials serving the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Strategic Planning and Division that controls the Khan Research Laboratory (KRL) in the third week of November to retrace the alleged doubtful activities of some scientists, with focus on events that took place in late 1980s and early 1990s.
This probe stemmed from specific observation made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a two-page letter to the government after inspection of Iranian nuclear facilities by its inspector in November last year.
“Whether the findings are made public or not the recent investigation has completely altered Dr A Q Khan’s profile in the government’s record,” said a knowledgeable official who added: “Sometimes national heroes have no hesitation in exceeding limits.”
A senior official familiar with the probe has said disciplinary and legal action is being recommended against Dr Mohammad Farooq, a senior scientist with KRL. President Pervez Musharraf, on his return from Davos next week, will decide the future course of action to address Dr A Q Khan’s role in the whole affair.
“A legal examination of the probe is underway, but it seems that Dr Farooq will be charged for violating the Official Secret Act,” the official said. “Dr A Q Khan was questioned in view of Dr Farooq’s statement and his answers are being verified.”
In late eighties and early nineties Dr Farooq, as an important confidante of Dr Khan, was associated with nuclear centrifuge technology at the KRL, officials said.
Farooq was the first Pakistani nuclear scientist to be detained in Islamabad on November 27 following the IAEA letter and an intimation from the Iranian government that identified Farooq as one of the Pakistani contacts for its nuclear scientists, officials said.
Officials said the government’s priority at the moment is to ensure the IAEA that Pakistan not only followed its observation most seriously, it is also penalising the scientists who acted beyond the call of their duties.
The IAEA will be issuing its “Iran Report” next month. There is a general recognition in the national security community that failure to satisfy the IAEA could seriously endanger Pakistan’s status as a responsible nuclear state.
Officials said three of the closest confidantes of Dr Khan are currently being questioned to what one official said “scan the whole range of Dr A Q Khan’s activities in the past 15 years or so”.
“In Pakistan we have investigated and prosecuted prime ministers and military chiefs, so there shouldn’t be any uproar against investigation of an international charge-sheet against nuclear scientists,” remarked an official.
Military investigators are currently questioning Dr Nazir Ahmad, director general of KRL. He was the most trusted A Q Khan lieutenant at the KRL till Musharraf replaced Dr Khan with Dr Javed Mirza as head of the KRL in 2001.
“Nazir is providing a blow by blow inside account of the KRL affairs under Khan,” an official said. Though Nazir is not currently involved in the KRL affairs, being an all-time associate of Khan he is still serving Dr Khan, who is an advisor to the prime minister on scientific affairs.
“Having served Khan as his personal assistant for more than a decade, Major Islamul Haq is giving investigators a graphic account on Khan’s official and personal affairs and contacts.” Major Haq was detained last week from Khan’s residence in Islamabad.
The official said Brigadier Sajawal, responsible for construction and engineering activities at the KRL, is being debriefed about the process for awarding contract and cooperation with foreign contractors.
Similarly Brigadier Tajwar is being debriefed about the security situation at the KRL as it appeared that a few scientists were allowed to by-pass the strict security guidelines approved for the KRL.
Officials said detention of Dr Nazir, Brigadier Tajwar , Brigadier Sajawal and Major Haq showed that the government is not just probing the “Iran saga”. Officials said from the day one of this investigation, President Musharraf wanted complete overhauling of personnel and technical affairs of the KRL.
Officials said since they now have a fairly good idea of the levels of nuclear knowledge transferred to Iran by two scientists they need not to probe the “Beg angle”.
“I don’t know about the exact nature of transfer of technology that took place but I knew that nothing moves in Pakistani nuclear spectrum without the knowledge of the chief of army staff,” said a former Pakistani nuclear scientist, who questioned Beg’s press statements, saying while he was the COAS the decision making about nuclear programme was with the former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and later with Nawaz Sharif.
Officials, though do not discount Beg’s influence and knowledge about the nuclear exchange that took place between some Pakistani and Iranian nuclear scientists in 1989-90, said equally important voice in the nuclear matters during that period was that of Ghulam Ishaq Khan, former president.
“If A Q Khan is the father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb, Ghulam Ishaq Khan was the grandfather,” said a senior official echoing the notion expressed by knowledgeable nuclear scientists.
“From 1982 to 1993 Ishaq held the wallet for the nuclear programme,” said a retired nuclear scientist. Ishaq first arranged the finances of the nuclear programme as Zia’s finance minister. He controlled that unique position as the chairman Senate (1985-88) and as president (1988-93).
“Strategic decision making rests with the respective army chiefs, but Ishaq alone coordinated and controlled money matters as well as key strategic affairs,” revealed a knowledgeable nuclear scientist. “A Q Khan’s most important patron in the government was Ishaq Khan.”
The 83-year old Ishaq Khan, who resigned as the president after losing majority in the parliament in 1993, currently lives in his hometown in Peshawar where his relatives described him as “seriously ill”.
In the present circumstances, several Pakistani officials said President Musharraf’s current priority is to contain the crisis and ensure that such vital pilferage doesn’t tale place in the future.
“Any trial of the nuclear scientist, particularly, any gesture of public disgrace for A Q Khan from the government will open a Pandora box,” a ranking official said. “Bygone is bygone, let’s move forward, this is what the president believes in these crucial moments.”
President Musharraf, however, has made no personal attempt to hide the fact that greed and personal motivation of a few nuclear scientists caused the IAEA’s Pakistan-related observations. In at least three large meetings with parliamentarians and ministers over the past few weeks, the president lamented the role of a few unnamed scientists and expressed determination to take them to task.
I'm skeptical we gave anything much to the Libyans. But Libya's monetary contributions towards our bomb program were important during the Z.A.Bhutto days. Maybe we gave them some toys to make them feel important.
But Iranian allegations are more troubling for us. All reports indicate that such transfers, if they occurred, happened right after Zia's death when Aslam Beg was COAS. If you followed events then, Gen.Beg was very anti-American at that time and openly advocated a tie with Iran against US. So, I wouldn't be surprised if Beg authorized such deals just to pi$$ of America.
One thing is certain - any transfer could not have happened without COAS level approval. Every event relating to KRL or PAEC happens with COAS permission or it doesn't happen.
This "rogue" scientist drama may be just an agreement between Gen.Musharraf and Americans to cover up this emabarassment.
Realistically speaking KRL never had anything to do with the bomb itself, it only helped enrich the Uranium. The bomb itself was 100% PAEC effort.
Kamran Khan is usually quite credible, though I can't say the same about Jang. Still, the bit about "unidentified sources" don't give me a lot of comfort feeling.
The first part of the article gives substance to the claim that it was a government approved plan, and goes on to say that it probably spiralled out of control. Its difficult to corraborate either way, and will most likely be a he said-he said in the end.
I have met Dr A Q Khan many times, and while I can confidently say that he is truly a great man and a brilliant scientist, at the same time I will also say that he had a great regard for Ummah. Whether this ultimately proves to be his undoing and a severe error of judgement or a government-sponsored leakage which got out of control, fact is Pakistan probably wouldn't have her nuclear bomb had it not been for Dr A Q Khan.
Having said that, we should have had a plan to fall back on once the story is leaked. Seems like again we were caught unaware as if we thought no one will know. Now thats a foolish assumption.
Musharraf was really grilled by CNN's Chritian Amanpour in the interview. She kept on asking him over n over as to thy Pakistan had to backtrack her earlier postion that no such leakage of nuclear tech took place. His response was something like, every single ammo used and fired by our military is accounted for and personnel responnsible are accounted for, and I personally believe that to be true. He added that in this day of info tech, its not the hardware that could be leaked, but rather the technology which exists on computers and the minds of the scientist. Also he hinted at underworld being involved in this and this underworld may have links to some pakistani scientist. And Pakistan is only looking at their involvement, if at all, with this underworld which has links to the European countires as well.
Its not a matter of fall back plan or anything like that. The survival of pakistan's nuclear program required the necessary indepenance that was afforded to KRL and the scientists. During the the most secretive times of Pakistan's nuclear deveolpment, the KRL and Dr. AQ only answered to COAS. The rest of the govt was kept in dark. It was necessary to have this code of silence at the time to ensure the success (You may have heard of the covert attack planned by the Isrealis to destroy the KRL. The mission was leaked out and never fulfiled).
It is very likely that certain elements in Pakistan's nuclear programme may have wanted to gain financially by leakage of the technology and thats exacacly what Musharraf and co are investigating.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The father of Pakistan's nuclear program, considered a national hero for giving the Islamic world its first atomic bomb, has been confined to the capital as investigators probe whether scientists leaked weapons technology, an acquaintance said Saturday.
Abdul Qadeer Khan has been questioned "many times" in recent weeks, said Zahid Malik, author of the book "Islamic Bomb" on Pakistan's nuclear program.
"He's cooperating (with the investigation) but he's satisfied that he's done nothing wrong," Malik, who met with Khan on Thursday, told The Associated Press.
After denying for years that its scientists might have been involved in proliferation and provided technology to North Korea (news - web sites), Iran, Libya and Iraq (news - web sites), Pakistan recently acknowledged that some individuals might have leaked information for personal profit.
On Saturday, President Pervez Musharraf told reporters that the extreme secrecy surrounding the development of Pakistan's nuclear program 30 years ago gave wide latitude to scientists — and possibly allowed them to sell information.
"Covert meant scientists moved around with full autonomy in a secretive manner," he said, adding that the program "could succeed only if there was total autonomy and nobody knew. That is how it continued."
"Now, if there was some individual or individuals, unscrupulous, if they were for personal gain selling national assets ... it was possible because it was not open, it was not under strategic check and controls. That is why it was possible," he added.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum (news - web sites) in Davos, Switzerland, Musharraf said his country's investigation started after Iran disclosed to the U.N. inspection agency the names of people who provided them with nuclear technology — including Pakistani scientists.
Musharraf said agents were investigating whether Pakistani government officials knew of technology being leaked overseas.
The probe also includes checks into the bank accounts of scientists and authorities who have been detained in connection with the suspected information leaks, an Interior Ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official said investigators suspect one scientist and one other person did something for personal gain. He would give no names or further details.
"Pakistan's investigations are vigorous. And they are looking into all dimensions, including financial aspects," Foreign Ministry spokesman Masood Khan told AP.
Eight scientists and administrators from the Khan Research Laboratories — Pakistan's leading nuclear weapons facility that is named after Khan — are currently being held for what the government has labeled "debriefings."
One scientist, Saeed Mansoor Ahmad, was released late Saturday, said Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, who added that interrogations could be over within a week.
Though he is confined to the capital, Khan is continuing his work as an adviser in the prime minister's office, his acquaintance Malik said.
"He's restricted to Islamabad but goes to his office in the prime minister's secretariat," Malik told AP.
A government official said on condition of anonymity that "security restrictions may have been increased" on Khan but that the scientist had "chosen to stay in Islamabad" while "debriefings" of laboratory employees take place.
Musharraf has vowed to prosecute any scientists who sold nuclear secrets overseas for crimes against the state. In an interview with CNN on Friday, he said he wouldn't like to predict the outcome of Pakistan's investigation but that it appeared "some individuals were involved for personal gain."
Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the U.N. atomic agency who is also attending the World Economic Forum, said this week that the nuclear proliferation allegations involved a "very sophisticated network of black market" operators. But he said he had seen no evidence that the Pakistani government was involved.
First it was the tribesmen, today the national heros, tomarow your mothers and sisters. Who will dare now to do something for this nation?
It's increasing obvious that someone, or some people, placed Pakistan in danger of international sanctions by sharing nuclear knowledge with other countries. As distasteful as it is, everyone with detailed access to these secrets is a suspect and thus liable to investigation.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
Thats the million dollar question here. What did Pakistan get in the deal? With NK, it was probably technology for missile-delivery. Its hard to figure out what were Iranians and Libyans offering. Pakistan never had particularly warm relationship with Tripoli anyway. Only Bhuttos were able to befriend Qaddafi. Relations with Iran are always on the borderline for one reason or the other. So it can either be money. Or the famous ummah factor. This mystery alone may save Musharraf from a real black eye.
[/QUOTE]
Right. The argument is convincing. Even if its true that the nuclear know how was transferred to Iran and Libya, what Pakistan got in return? I guess the Iran link to the story has traces in 92 when Aslam Baig was COAS. Was our exchequer filled with some extra money? No. Regarding Ummah I would say its a over-blown myth never to have thought over in case anything serious was to be attached to it. Pakistan was never to benefit from helping the rich Ummah to go nuclear, this is known to the public ummah at large atleast.
I have another question. How did the technology find its way to Pakistan or India or Israel, North Korea etc? At any moment in the past when it was crystal clear that these countries have got the technology, did US find the link betweeen their own state and the proliferation?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Capricorn: *
I have another question. How did the technology find its way to Pakistan or India or Israel, North Korea etc? At any moment in the past when it was crystal clear that these countries have got the technology, did US find the link betweeen their own state and the proliferation?
[/QUOTE]
US invented the atom bomb. Britain got it from them, being a critical US ally. France invented nuclear bombs on its own - it had been researching them before World War 2 anyway. A Soviet spy stole Britain's nuclear secrets and ran away with them to Moscow, where he settled. Then the Soviets "invented" the atom bomb. The Chinese got the technology by initially by gift from the Soviets, and when Soviet aid was withdrawn, completed research and development on their own.
India most likely got the basic technologies from the Soviets too, then spent billions and decades on completing research on their own.
Pakistan got the basic technology by donation from China, and the advanced weapons-making knowledge by stealing it from Europe (AQ Khan was working in Holland on another aspect of nuclear technology, and found that he had access to blueprints for advanced systems needed to make nuclear weapons). This combination meant that we had to do less research than any other country to develop nuclear technology, and gave us what is probably the cheapest nuclear programme in history.
The origin of North Korea's technology is Chinese, though they probably completed the research on their own. Israel got nuclear technology from France, then completed research on their own, possibly with outside help from some Pakistanis.
For a country to research its own bomb is very plausible. Especially these days, most of the knowledge for how to build a basic nuclear bomb is already out there, because nuclear scientists fro all countries published details of a lot of their work in international science journals. They would keep out some critical details, but about 75% of nuclear weapons making knowledge is publically available.
Thanks for the brief history maddy. My question had another angle. US invented bomb and gave it to UK because the former was its Ally. The justice demands that the probe be started from that point in history rather than from now on. US calls other countries irresponsible while it itself showed irresponsibility by gifting the bomb to UK. UK could not safeguard it and it was transported to USSR and so on so forth. I want to emphasise on dealing with this sensitive issue with a sense of responsibility.
US is worried that in future brief-case bombs would be out there to terrorise other nations and its yesterday that they cleared the policy to build them on their own because small nukes are usable and workable. So when they are usable they are usable for all. Or its for US alone that these small nukes are usable?
Besides nuclear tech and weaponry getting into the hands of terrorist elements, the other thing that worry US is losing the strategic and military superiority. US will obviously think twice before it attacks or invades a nation with proven nuclear arsenal or tech. One can look at the list of nations with proven nuclear tech: US, Russia, China, UK, France, Isreal, India and Pakistan. From the list one can also see who are the allies of US or influcenced by US in one way or another.
Now for US to maintain its miliray superiority, it has to stop other nations from acquiring high tech military technology including the nuclear. The tech will lose its edge if several nations possess a similar technology.
In the end, the standards that apply to developing nations dont necessarirly apply to Us, or at least thats that the US thinks :>
(similar analogy can be used in case when US, after having gone thru the industrial revolution and being the larges polluter of environment in the world, is asking other developing nations like Chino to reduce the green house gases)
In the widening investigation of the nuclear imbroglio, officials have also discovered that one of the main Dubai-based cover companies used by the Khan Research Laboratories to procure hundreds of millions dollars of equipment was being operated by a close relative of a top nuclear scientist.
Pakistani investigators have also unearthed that the same nuclear scientist held tens of millions of dollars worth of direct and indirect financial and real estate holdings in Pakistan and abroad, mostly in Dubai.
For this reason, authorities are probing the scientist’s deep relationship with a Dubai-based Pakistani bullion trader and some Karachi-based businessmen.
“I have never seen the president in such agony and anger. He was devastated,” informed an official who had met the president shortly after he was briefed about the outcome of the probe against the nuclear scientist.
Meanwhile, a ranking government source has disclosed that the government has instructed all ministries and departments not to invite Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan as guest to any government function.
The decision to allow Dr Qadeer to continue as an adviser to the prime minister on scientific affairs would be taken by the president on his return from Davos on Sunday.
Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has said that there is no bar on his movement and he is spending routine life. “There is no restrictions on my movement and I am free like anybody”, Dr Abdul Qadeer said while talking to The Nation on Saturday. Earlier, a spokesman of Dr Qadeer had stated that the government had imposed restrictions on the Father of Pakistan’s Nuclear Programme from leaving Islamabad as he was being debriefed. The spokesman further said that he met Dr Qadeer on Thursday and he was looking satisfied as he has done nothing wrong.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Masud Khan said that the operatives were carrying out minute investigation while keeping every aspect in consideration.
Dr Mansoor’s release expected shortly
The release of senior scientist of Khan Research Laboratories. Dr Mansoor Ahmed Khan is expected shortly. Talking to this agency on Saturday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed confirming the news said, “yes he is going to be released shortly.” Dr. Mansoor was called for debriefing session in connection with seeking some clarifications regarding nuclear proliferation, by the security agencies. Sheikh Rashid on Thursday while addressing a news conference had said that the on going de-briefing session of the scientists and KRL officials may end within a week.
When it comes to nuclear technology, I find it hard that any country (other than Pakistan) willingly gave technology away.. even to their closest allies. Any student of political history knows that there are no permanent friends in politics so to gift away such a devastating technology to a "friend" is perhaps stretching it. So, in matters of nuclear technology and others WMD technology, even friends will be spying on you, and trying to bribe, steal or coerce stuff out. I am quite sure even Israel got nuclear technology by stealing (either just the information or the scientists) and not by US-government approved transfer of technology. And once the cat is out of the bag, both sides have plenty of incentive to cover it up.
The difference between Pakistan and other members of the nuclear club is that we were the poorest of them all (NK is still just a suspect not a declared nuclear power). So our incentive to trade nuclear secrets can be something as straight-forward as money. With Russians broke as well (post 1985), sale of nuclear technology by their rogue scientists is an ever-increasing risk, as well. And lastly, for Pakistan the biggest risk remains the "Ummah factor". Unfortunately here we stand alone.
When the British in 1946 threatened to end the Combined Development Trust (CDT), the agency, established in 1944, responsible for joint acquisition and allocation of raw materials, the United States capitulated to British demands and agreed to a fifty-fifty allocation of uranium with Britain. This equitable allocation allowed Britain to amass a huge stockpile, without which it could never have detonated an atomic bomb in October 1952. By 1947 the United States was experiencing a severe shortage of uranium, which could be met only from supplies in the Congo and from that British stockpile. Tough negotiations secured Britain an exchange of atomic information in return for American access to all Congo allocations to be made in 1948–49 and, if needed, additional supplies from the British stockpile. This arrangement was sanctified in a “modus vivendi” signed on 7 January 1948.
And
The successful detonation of a British hydrogen bomb in May 1957 led President Dwight D. Eisenhower to overrule such advisers as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Admiral Lewis Strauss, and to secure an amendment to the Atomic Energy Act of 1958. This amendment provided for a renewed bilateral exchange of nuclear weapons technologies with Great Britain.
The undeniable fact is that the USA shared at least some of its nuclear weapons knowledge, resources, and technology with its closest ally, the UK.
So, other than "Jiss ki laathi uss ki bhains" (loose translation: "might is right") what is US' excuse that she can transfer nuclear technology to her friends but no other country can transfer such technology to their friends?