Adm. Mullen: Pakistan Nukes Secure But…

(CBS/AP)  The Pentagon's top military officer said Monday that he is comfortable that Pakistan's nuclear weapons remain secure, but is gravely concerned about Taliban advances there and in Afghanistan.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that the United States has worked with the Pakistanis to improve the security of their nuclear arsenal and he believes that country's military is focused on keeping them secure.

While he acknowledged that there is a limit to what the United States knows about the nuclear weapons, he believes that Pakistan's military leaders understand the threat if it falls into the insurgents hands.

"I know what we've done over the last three years, specifically, to both invest, assist (Pakistan), and I've watched them improve their security fairly dramatically over the last three years," Mullen said.

He said he does not believe that Pakistan's nuclear weapons will fall into the hands of terrorists. But when asked if he would say he is confident - rather than just comfortable - with the state of Pakistan's nuclear security, he stuck with the latter.

Instead, Mullen said his greater worry is Pakistan's ability to sustain their military operations, as Taliban violence surges in the region.

"I'm gravely concerned about the progress they (the Taliban) have made in the south and inside Pakistan," Mullen said. "The consequences of their success directly threaten our national interests in the region and our safety here at home."

U.S. administration and military leaders have said that success in the Afghanistan war is linked to security in Pakistan. And officials will meet this week with leaders from both countries. Part of those meetings will focus on setting benchmarks for economic, political and military progress there.

Mullen would not detail the benchmarks under discussion, but he said that the U.S. must have patience as it works to solidify a relationship with Pakistan, that can lead to a more secure region.

"We're just going through a very hard time right now in building it, and that's going to take considerable effort," said Mullen, adding that it also will take "an extended period of time to get this right."

Defeating the militants in Pakistan is critical to U.S. success on the Afghan side of the border, Mullen told CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent last week.

"There is a direct relationship," he said.

[stn_sage]

Even a volatile country like Pakistan, should be capable of securing it's nuclear weapons without the U.S. having to "baby-sit" it! What the he*ck is the U.N. doing? Is the U.N. inspecting at all these days to see how the "Pakis" are complying with handling and storage regs?!

IF any nukes are lost, it's most likely they would be lost, through the use of bribery! That those in charge of securing them---got an offer they just couldn't say 'no' to!

Another poster points out it's "destiny"; the problem with that line of thought, is that line of thinking results in the self-fulfilling prophecy! IF we ever have an Armageddon, it will be because certain world leaders thought it was suppose to happen, so they MADE it happen!

[morham]

"Anyway you look at it, somewhere in the world, nukes will fall into the hands of an organization that will NOT hesitate to use them on the West. It is destiny. "

This is the simple truth. All it takes is enough money. Think of a 5 megaton nuke going off in N.Y. Harbor hidden in one of a thousand containers that arrive every day. The ship wouldn't even have to be docked. I fear this is our future. God help us all.

[debinok1]

If the Taliban get ahold of those nukes, we are not their first target. We will have plenty of warning. They will go after Israel first.

[koko98-2009]

I am NOT overly concerned about the Taliban getting control of Pakistan's nukes. If they do get their hands on them I think that it end up like the end of LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, they will have them but hey won't be able to get them to work. And with a little help from special ops we could push a renewal of their nuclear capability back a couple of decades.

All this stuff about the Taliban getting their hands on the nukes is fearmongering.

[zeitmin77]

The other day Obama has assured us sunnily that the Pakistan nukes were secure.Now,the Admiral says they are secure but.In the circumstances it could be reasonable to believe that the U.S has no control on what is going on in Pakistan and the quality of the security of the nukes there is anybody's guess.

[putemontheglass]

As American's we are gravely concerned about illegal aliens sucking our country dry......bring our men and women home so they can defend our borders and our rights as Americans.
Take your: "..... gravely concerned about Taliban advances there and in Afghanistan......." and shove it. We need help here, at home.

[sjc_1]

10 years ago, the Pakistan government was supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan for stability, now the Taliban are threatening Pakistan and their weak government. Be careful who you support, they become your enemy. We supported Noriega and Saddam, look how that turned out.