Khan: Musharraf In On N. Korea Nuke Deal

Scientist Alleges Pakistan's President Oversaw Nuclear Shipments To North Korea

(AP)  Pakistan's army under President Pervez Musharraf oversaw the shipment of key nuclear components to North Korea in 2000, the architect of Pakistan's nuclear program said.

The allegation was made by scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who was sacked and disgraced after his 2004 confession that he was solely responsible for spreading nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya.

The retired scientist's comments could prove deeply embarrassing for Pakistan, which has repeatedly denied its army or government knew about Khan's proliferation activities.

In a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Friday, Khan said centrifuges - uranium enrichment equipment - were sent from Pakistan in a North Korean plane that was loaded under the supervision of Pakistani security officials.

Khan said the army had "complete knowledge" of the shipment of used P-1 centrifuges to North Korea and that it must have been sent with the consent of Musharraf, the then-army chief who took power in a 1999 coup.

"It was a North Korean plane, and the army had complete knowledge about it and the equipment," Khan said. "It must have gone with his (Musharraf's) consent."

Musharraf's spokesman, Rashid Qureshi, rejected Khan's claims. "I can say with full confidence that it is all lies and false statements," he said.

In a speech Friday, Musharraf himself made no mention of Khan's allegations, but said he would not quit the presidency - as political opponents have been demanding - as he still had a valuable role to play.

After his 2004 confession, Khan was pardoned by Musharraf but he has effectively been kept under house arrest at his spacious villa in Islamabad.

Since a new civilian government took power after February elections, eclipsing Musharraf, the scientist has increasingly spoken out in the media. However, previously he has not implicated anyone or explicitly said the army was aware of nuclear shipments.

Asked why he had taken sole responsibility for the nuclear proliferation, Khan said he had been persuaded that it was in the national interest by friends. Khan said in return he had been promised complete freedom, but "those promises were not honored."

In his autobiography, "In the Line of Fire," Musharraf says in 1999, a year after becoming army chief, he became suspicious of Khan and questioned him over reports that North Korean nuclear experts had arrived at his laboratories for secret briefings on centrifuges. Khan denied it, according to Musharraf.

Musharraf recounts authorizing a raid on a charter aircraft going to North Korea for conventional missiles after receiving reports it would be carrying some "irregular" cargo on Khan's behalf. Khan's people were tipped off before the raid and never loaded the cargo, Musharraf wrote.

It was not clear if he was referring to the same shipment as Khan.

"No flight, no equipment could go outside without the clearance from the ISI and SPD and they used to be at there at the airport, not me," Khan said, referring to the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency and the Strategic Planning Division that manages Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

[liferocks3]

Folks who compare Musharraf to Saddam have got to be crazy! Musharraf brought free media and democracy to Pakistan and never invaded any other country.



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Posted by dargay at 06:48 AM : Jul 05, 2008
+ report abuse


Dargay- Musharaf invaded Kashmir in 1999 when he was Army chief.

[randynason]

This is how the U.S. manipulates its'' foreign diplomacy: let the corporate media run with a stupid and unsubstantiated story. Musharraf must have done something to tick off the White House and the Pentagon and this is their retaliation.

[fixhist]

Apropos upon comment from "trishab4" at 03:13 AM : Jul 05, 2008

Mention of proliferation is media watched topic,posters & bloggers are spotted, identified & Entered in banned Air travellers.

But, since you mentioned efficacy of NPT for its application vis-a-viz Khan of pakistan.

You must be aware that,Pakistan has crossed thresh Hold of CTBT restrictions,Thanks to India.

But, Mr. Khan can never stand under oath & say He has never seen any Koren product under his command & control.

One think,I''m positive is Mr.Khan is a commander & a solder,and he stood the test of troubles.

On the other hand, General Retarded Evangelized Musharraf will start squeaking from 72nd Hour in Sehala-Rest House. Though we know,and he knows that he had uttered much more than he knows,what a true solder''s responsibility is to the "State of Pakistan."
Musharraf is a "WAR CRIMINAL", He mixed his personal survival to politicize, and publicize matters near & dear to "State of Pakistan."

I''m 90% sure veteran intellectual of International relations like,non other than Henry Kissinger will have some thing to add to Charge Sheet of "Musharraf''s WAR CRIMES".

[dargay]

Folks who compare Musharraf to Saddam have got to be crazy! Musharraf brought free media and democracy to Pakistan and never invaded any other country.

[trishab4]

What if Israel shipped tomorrow some nuke-techs to Iran? Iran is in big need of this technology and Israel is eager to sell new and unique technology to the Middle-East neighbors and to create a dependance to its technologies by surrounding countries. Isn''t this a nice hint?

[alphaa10-2009]

When asked by CBS News whether he had any regrets that his grandchildren would now grow up in a world facing a serious risk of nuclear weapons proliferation, Khan said, %u201CNot at all.%u201D
---
Now that it is fashionable to regret the way Bush handled Pakistan, consider the parallels between Musharraf and Saddam...

Both maintained secret police agencies that matched the Gestapo for cruelty. Both aspired to be "populists" in the sense of broad popular support, yet routinely pitted one social class or religious group against another.

While claiming to represent the wishes of their people, both scourged every effort at democratic reforms.

Both defied the rule of law, establishing themselves as the ultimate authority.

One or both dictators were hailed by a president named Bush as staunch allies in the region.

Both dictators considering becoming a nuclear power, but Musharraf managed to do it-- all the while, under the fiercely uncomprehending scrutiny of George Bush.

After 911, congress told Bush to find bin Laden in Afghanistan. Demanding the aid of Pakistan, Bush pointedly did not demand Pakistan surrender its bombs. Nor did he seriously question Pakistan''s nuclear transfers to other Islamic states of Iran, Libya, and Malasia. Or even those to North Korea.

Instead, he praised Musharraf, whose regime had winked at nuclear proliferation for some 30 years, and attacked... Iraq.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Osama BinLaden has been in Pakistani territory and left alone...wonder why?" Posted by deacon20081

The fact that Musharraf was installed and backed by the CIA, which also created and controls Al Qaeda should answer some of your questions.

[deacon20081]

Not at all, a surprising revelation; I imagine the "army" also sent the equipment and know how to Libya as well. All at and under Musharif''s direction.
Osama BinLaden has been in Pakistani territory and left alone...wonder why?

[hungry1968]

"Khan: Musharraf In On N. Korea Nuke Deal
Scientist Alleges Pakistan''s President Oversaw Nuclear Shipments To North Korea"





Hell, El Presidente...... I guess you better ship him another $20 BILLION dollars in "aid" to help them fight our enemies, huh?



EPIC FAILURE - the hallmark of this administration, and everything you can expect from a McSame administration.

[liferocks3]

no wonder Pakistan is the great ally in war on terror. Pakistan is the root of terror with nuclear arsenal. Lets wait till Al qaida gets p a k i nukes.

[achilles281]

pakistani leaders as usual thugs nothing new ....corrupt to the core......