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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


February 2004 Pakistan Special Weapons News

  • Pak President shocked by tribal killings, orders inquiry IRNA 29 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan`s President General Pervez Musharraf Sunday ordered a probe into the killing of eleven persons by soldiers in the country`s tribal region, bordering Afghanistan.
  • France says Pakistan`s N-capability a "reality" IRNA 28 Feb 2004 -- France acknowledged Monday that Pakistan`s nuclear capability is a "reality" and "fact".
  • PAKISTAN/OSAMA VOA 28 Feb 2004 -- A top U-S anti-terrorism official says al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is on the run, amid what officials say is an intensifying hunt for fugitive members of the terror network. The U-S official says he believes Osama bin Laden wil
  • Pakistan Nuclear Network VOA 27 Feb 2004 -- The man known as the father of Pakistan's nuclear program was pardoned in January after admitting he leaked nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea.
  • Pak-Russia anti-terrorism talks fruitful: Russian diplomat IRNA 26 Feb 2004 -- A senior Russian diplomat here on Thursday said Pakistan and Russian officials held "fruitful" discussions on the cooperation against terrorism this week.
  • Pakistan committed to nuclear non-proliferation: PM PLA Daily 26 Feb 2004 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali here on Wednesday said the country is a responsible nuclear state and it is firmly committed to nuclear non-proliferation.
  • Pakistan to maintain nuclear edge: spokesman PLA Daily 26 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan will maintain competitive edge of its nuclear program and enhance this capability qualitatively and quantitatively, Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan said Wednesday.
  • Pak army gets first consignment of 80 Chinese-origin tanks IRNA 26 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan Army on Thursday was handed over the first consignment of eighty upgraded Al-Zarar tanks of Chinese origin to meet its operational needs.
  • Pak intelligence agency chief replaced IRNA 26 Feb 2004 -- Citing no reasons, Prime Minister of Pakistan Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has replaced the director general of Pakistan`s Intelligence Bureau (IB).
  • PAKISTAN COMMONWEALTH VOA 26 Feb 2004 -- The Commonwealth appears set to readmit Pakistan, after the international group suspended the South Asian nation four years ago. Pakistan sees the move as symbolic but important.
  • South Asia: Pakistan Clamps Down On Al-Qaeda, Taliban Suspects As Reports Fly Over Bin Laden's Whereabouts RFE/RL 25 Feb 2004 -- Pakistani troops have arrested some 20 suspects in an operation aimed at tracking down Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters believed to be hiding in remote tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan. This latest offensive comes amid heightened speculation that U.S.-led forces are closing in on Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
  • Pakistan, Russia set to boost defense ties IRNA 25 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan said on Wednesday it is set to reinvigorate relations with Russia and expand bilateral relations in all fields particularly defense and communications.
  • Pakistan to maintain nuclear edge: spokesman IRNA 25 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan will maintain competitive edge of its nuclear program and enhance the capability "qualitatively and quantitatively", Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan said Wednesday.
  • Pakistan Arrests 20 Suspects in Hunt for Al-Qaida Members VOA News 25 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan has arrested at least 20 suspects as it wrapped up a new operation to flush out suspected foreign terrorists in its semi-autonomous tribal area. The operation may provide important leads in the hunt for members of the al-Qaida terror network.
  • Pak army launches operation against foreign suspects IRNA 24 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan army on Tuesday launched major operation in remote tribal areas, bordering Afghanistan, to capture al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects, believed to be hiding there, an army spokesman said.
  • IRAN NUCLEAR VOA 22 Feb 2004 -- Iran has admitted that it has acquired some components for its nuclear program from dealers in South Asia, but it stopped short of saying they were part of a nuclear proliferation ring led by Pakistan's top nuclear scientist. The Iranian government says it has reported all of its purchases to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
  • Pak troops deploying in tribal areas for anti-Al Qaeda operation IRNA 21 Feb 2004 -- The authorities in Pakistan`s semi-autonomous areas, close to the border with Afghanistan have started deployment of troops ahead of impending action against terrorists, reports said.
  • Pak, US officials hold talks on arms control IRNA 20 Feb 2004 -- Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control Stephen Rademaker held talks on strategic stability with Pakistani officials in Islamabad on Friday, Pakistan`s Foreign Office said.
  • PAKISTAN/PROLIFERATION VOA 20 Feb 2004 -- Malaysian police say Pakistan's top nuclear scientist made three-million-dollars from one black-market sale of nuclear weapons material. A police report, based on Malaysia's questioning of a suspected middleman in the transaction, also says that illegal deals by Abdul Qadeer Khan sent nuclear technology to Libya and Iran.
  • PAKISTAN/MILITARY OPERATION VOA 20 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan is stepping up efforts to hunt down suspected terrorists believed to be hiding in its semi-autonomous tribal area. The move comes amid what the U-S military is describing as an intense hunt for fugitive leaders of the al-Qaida terror network.
  • Hailing progress in talks between India and Pakistan, Annan urges leaders to stay course UN News Centre 19 Feb 2004 -- Encouraged by the "steady progress" being made in the bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged the two South Asian neighbours to press forward in tackling sensitive issues.
  • Pakistan, India agree to peace roadmap IRNA 18 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan and India agreed on Wednesday to a roadmap for composite dialogue to discuss and arrive at peaceful settlement of all bilateral issues including Jammu and Kashmir to the satisfaction of both sides.
  • EU Troika, Pakistan to discuss N-proliferation, terrorism IRNA 18 Feb 2004 -- A Ministerial-level European Union (EU) Troika began two-day visit to Pakistan on Wednesday to discuss nuclear proliferation, security issues, Afghanistan and improving Indo-Pak ties, according to a EU note distributed in Islamabad.
  • PAKISTAN/INDIA/TALKS VOA 18 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan and India have drawn up an agenda for a groundbreaking series of peace talks to end more than a half-century of conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals. Officials say the new dialogue stands a much better chance for success than past efforts to end the cycle of conflict.
  • PAKISTAN / INDIA/TALKS VOA 17 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan and India have broadly agreed on the framework for sustained peace talks about Kashmir and other disputes straining bilateral ties.
  • Pak opposition senators condemn N-scientists` detention IRNA 17 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan Senate has taken up a debate on recent events pertaining to the nuclear question as the opposition senators on Monday condemned the government for what they called mishandling of the issue.
  • Relatives of Pak N-scientists announce mass campaign IRNA 17 Feb 2004 -- The relatives of detained nuclear scientist have announced to launch countrywide mass mobilization campaign to save Pakistan`s national strategic assets and its national heros.
  • Pakistan, India resume dialogue process PLA Daily 17 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan and India here on Monday restarted their dialogue process after an over two-year gap, official sources from Pakistani foreign office told Xinhua.
  • PAKISTAN/INDIA/TALKS VOA 17 Feb 2004 -- Officials from India and Pakistan have met for a second day of peace talks in Islamabad. A Pakistani official says that one issue likely to be discussed is a mechanism to keep disputes between the two neighbors from degenerating into nuclear war.
  • South Asia: India, Pakistan Start Talks On Kashmir Agenda RFE/RL 16 Feb 2004 -- India and Pakistan today began three days of talks focusing on nuclear security and their half-century dispute over Kashmir.
  • Senior Pak N-scientist in good health: Foreign Office IRNA 16 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan`s top nuclear scientist, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan is in good health and suffering no cardiac disease, Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan said here Monday.
  • Pakistan, India conclude opening session of talks IRNA 16 Feb 2004 -- Senior Pakistani and Indian officials wrapped up on Monday the opening session of three-day talks, which will set agenda for sustained dialogue over Kashmir and other issues of dispute, sources in the Foreign Office said.
  • Pakistan says talks with India were `cordial, constructive` IRNA 16 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan described as `cordial and constructive` the talks with India on Monday and said the two sides discussed modalities and time-frame for the resumption of the composite dialogue between the two countries.
  • PAKISTAN/INDIA/TALKS VOA 16 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan and India have resumed a stalled peace dialogue after a gap of nearly three years. The three-day discussions are primarily to establish a framework for a long process of engagement between the nuclear-armed rivals, who have fought three wars with each other.
  • PAKISTAN / INDIA TALKS VOA 15 Feb 2004 -- A delegation from India has arrived in Pakistan to prepare high-level talks on how to resolve the two nations' long-running dispute over Kashmir. The nuclear-armed rivals are returning to the negotiating table after a gap of nearly three years, during which they almost went to war.
  • Pakistan denies US team paid secret visit IRNA 13 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan has denied that a 24-member delegation, led by a top United States official visited Islamabad on Wednesday.
  • Pakistan may sign NPT if declared N-power: report IRNA 13 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan may consider signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if the world community formally recognises Islamabad as the sixth member of the atomic club.
  • PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN VOA 12 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan has admitted for the first time that some anti-government activities in neighboring Afghanistan are originating from Pakistani soil.
  • Something happening in Afghanistan from Pakistan: Musharraf IRNA 12 Feb 2004 -- Pakistani President General Pervez Musharra said Thursday that something has happened in Afghanistan from Pakistani side but rejected the notion that everything happening in the neighbouring is from Pakistan.
  • PAKISTAN /AFGHANISTAN VOA 12 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan has admitted for the first time that some anti-government activities in neighboring Afghanistan are originating from Pakistani soil.
  • INDIA / PAKISTAN TALKS VOA 12 Feb 2004 -- Indian and Pakistani officials are expected to meet next week (Feb 16-18) for the first time since the two nations agreed to renew talks aimed at ending decades of hostility. The three-day meeting will set the agenda for future higher-level discussions on disputes - including the region of Kashmir and the question of nuclear proliferation.
  • PAKISTAN/JAPAN/NUCLEAR VOA 11 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan has promised to share with Japan the findings of an ongoing internal investigation into illegal transfers of nuclear technology to North Korea.
  • Scientists, security staff involved in N-proliferation: Govt Attorney IRNA 11 Feb 2004 -- A Pakistani government`s lawyer Wednesday told a court that nuclear scientists and security officers of Dr. A.Q Khan were involved in nuclear proliferation and anti-state activities.
  • Pakistan ready to cooperate with int'l nuclear watch dog PLA Daily 11 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan's Foreign spokesman Masood Khan said Monday that the country is ready to cooperate with international community to fight against nuclear proliferation.
  • Israel concerned about Pak`s nuke leaks IRNA 11 Feb 2004 -- Israel said Tuesday night that it was "very concerned" by the "new information" about nuclear proliferation from Pakistan and the possibility that an organization like the Al-Qaeda could have gained access to nuclear weapons, local press reported here on Wednesday.
  • PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR CONTROVERSY VOA 10 Feb 2004 -- The American press is voicing a unified opinion of the nuclear weapons controversy surrounding Pakistan, after that nation admitted its top scientist sold nuclear secrets to other nations.
  • MUSHARRAF-NUCLEAR VOA 10 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan's president says in a newspaper interview, he harbored long-time suspicions that something was amiss in his country's nuclear weapons program, but delayed acting on the matter because he lacked proof. Pakistan's top nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan, has confessed to selling nuclear secrets abroad, and was subsequently pardoned by the president, General Pervez Musharraf. Questions persist over who else was involved in the illicit nuclear trade.
  • Iran: Tehran Denies Link With Top Pakistani Nuclear Scientist RFE/RL 09 Feb 2004 -- Iran is denying it received nuclear technology from top Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who recently said he had passed secrets to Tehran. The denial is the latest twist in a complex story of nuclear proliferation that centers on Khan but the details of which may never become fully clear.
  • NOKOR / PAK NUCLEAR VOA 10 Feb 2004 -- North Korea is accusing the United States of orchestrating Pakistan's recent admission that its top scientist sold nuclear secrets to the communist nation. Pyongyang charges the story is a tactic ahead of six-way talks in Beijing to pressure North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.
  • POWELL-PAKISTAN VOA 09 Feb 2004 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell says he has been assured by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf that the proliferation activities of the country's top nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan will be completely uprooted. Mr. Powell also told reporters he has no plans for an early visit to Pakistan to discuss the issue.
  • POWELL-PAKISTAN VOA 09 Feb 2004 -- Secretary of State Colin Powell says he has been assured by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf that the proliferation activities of the country's top nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan will be completely uprooted. Mr. Powell also told reporters he has no plans for an early visit to Pakistan to discuss the issue.
  • Ex-PM Bhutto says she is "mother" of Pak N-bomb IRNA 09 Feb 2004 -- Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto has claimed that she is the mother of her country`s nuclear bomb.
  • Pakistan, India discuss security, WMD issues IRNA 09 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan and India have discussed security-related issues and the efforts to halt spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), press reports said Monday.
  • Pakistan hopes talks with India will be successful IRNA 09 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan has expressed the hope that the forthcoming round of talks with India would be successful and pave the way for focusing more substantially on the comprehensive agenda to resolve outstanding issues including Kashmir.
  • Pak N-Scientist Qadeer`s pardon conditional: Spokesman IRNA 09 Feb 2004 -- The pardon granted to Pakistan`s nuclear bomb father Dr A Q Khan is conditional, specific to the charges which came to the surface so far and not a blanket one, Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan said on Monday.
  • Pakistan, Britain to put the bugging issue behind IRNA 09 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan and Britain have agreed to put the bugging issue of Pakistan High Commission in London behind and maintain their close friendship and cooperation in all fields, a spokesman said Monday.
  • Pakistan PM Jamali says Qadeer Khan issue "settled" IRNA 08 Feb 2004 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said that issue of nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan is now a "settled" one.
  • Pakistan rejects US help in safeguarding N-material IRNA 08 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan on Sunday contradicted a news item appearing in a section of the press quoting some US officials that United States has held discussion with Pakistan officials on the need for Pakistan to safeguard its technology and its nuclear material.
  • Pakistan, Ukrain to enhance cooperation in trade, defence IRNA 08 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and his Ukrainian counterpart Kostyantyn Gryshchenko have emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in the fields of trade and defence, Radio Pakistan reported Sunday.
  • Iran, unfazed by nuclear storm, stresses close ties with Pakistan IRNA 08 Feb 2004 -- Iran on Sunday dismissed media accounts of nuclear leaks by Pakistani scientists to Tehran, stressing that the Islamic Republic had acquired certain equipment from middlemen.
  • PAKISTAN/NUCLEAR/U-S VOA 08 Feb 2004 -- U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke to President Pervez Musharraf by telephone (Saturday) to discuss Islamabad's ongoing probe into Pakistani nuclear proliferation to Libya, Iran and North Korea.
  • India seeks international debate on Nuke-leak issue IRNA 07 Feb 2004 -- India on Friday in a measured response to Pakistan`s nuclear leak issue, sought to place the issue in the international context, as part of shared global concerns over proliferation to be debated at appropriate fora like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), local press reported here on Saturday.
  • Pak Senate to take up national security council bill IRNA 07 Feb 2004 -- The Senate of Pakistan will meet on February 13 to take up the National Security Council bill, paving way for its formation.
  • Iran did not name Pak scientists for proliferation: PML-N IRNA 07 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Acting Parliamentary Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Saturday said that Iran as not named any Pakistani nuclear scientists over proliferation allegations.
  • PAKISTAN / PARDON REAX VOA 07 Feb 2004 -- Opposition parties in Pakistan are planning a parliamentary debate on the government's handling of Abdul Qadeer Khan, a nuclear scientist and national hero who admitted selling nuclear secrets to other countries. Opposition leaders say the controversy could bring international pressure on Pakistan to open up its nuclear facilities to outside inspection.
  • PAKISTAN'S 'NUCLEAR BOMBSHELL' EVOKES PROLIFERATION 'NIGHTMARE' US Dept. of State IIP, Foreign Media Reaction 06 Feb 2004
  • Pakistani president pardons country's top nuclear scientist PLA Daily 06 Feb 2004 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Thursday said he had pardoned the country's top nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who has accepted full responsibility for transferring nuclear secret abroad.
  • PAKISTAN VOA 05 Feb 2004 -- And now joining us, Don Oberdorfer, Distinguished Journalist at the Johns Hopkins University's Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Distinguished Journalist in Residence and a distinguished journalist, a former diplomatic correspondent at the Washington Post.
  • C-I-A /PAK NUKE VOA 05 Feb 2004 -- The director of the Central Intelligence Agency says the activities of Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan were uncovered in large part by U-S and British intelligence agencies. Mr. Khan was pardoned by President Pervez Musharraf for selling Pakistani nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea.
  • PAK / NUKE VOA 05 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has granted a pardon to the founder of the country's nuclear program, who has admitted passing nuclear secrets to Libya, Iran and North Korea. The president also said he would not allow international supervision of Pakistan's nuclear program.
  • U-S-PAKISTAN-REACT VOA 05 Feb 2004 -- The Bush administration says the proliferation activities of Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan and his associates caused a great deal of harm. But U-S officials are declining to criticize the decision by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to pardon Mr. Khan.
  • President Musharraf accepts clemency appeal of Dr.A Q Khan APP 05 Feb 2004 -- President General Pervez Musharraf has accepted the clemency appeal of Dr. A.Q.Khan for his involvement in nuclear proliferation, following the recommendation of the Federal Cabinet.
  • Cabinet recommends pardon for Dr Khan APP 05 Feb 2004 -- The Federal Cabinet on Thursday recommended to the President to pardon Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan for unauthorized proliferation activities.
  • PRESIDENT NUCLEAR PBC 05 Feb 2004 -- President Pervez Musharraf has categorically stated that there will be no roll back of our nuclear programme and there is no pressure whatsoever in this connection.
  • Pak President Musharraf pardons N-scientist A Q Khan IRNA 05 Feb 2004 -- Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf pardoned Thursday Abdul Qadeer Khan, father of the Pakistan nuclear bomb, for leaking nuclear technology to other countries.
  • No outsiders` involvement in Pak nuclear affairs: Musharraf IRNA 05 Feb 2004 -- Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf Thursday said Pakistan will not allow investigation into the nuclear affairs by the outsiders.
  • Pak Islamists fear roll back of nuclear program IRNA 05 Feb 2004 -- The Mutahida Majlis-e Amal, a parliamentary alliance of Pakistan`s six mainstream Islamic parties, has expressed fears a conspiracy was being hatched to roll back the national nuclear program.
  • Pak cabinet proposes pardon for top N-scientist IRNA 05 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan Federal Cabinet in its special meeting on Thursday recommended to President General Pervez Musharraf to accept top nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer`s `appeal for pardon`.
  • Pakistani president denies sell-out of nuclear assets IRNA 05 Feb 2004 -- Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday categorically ruled out any `sell-out` of the country`s vital interests in Kashmir and its nuclear assets.
  • Pakistan cabinet recommends pardon for scientist Qadeer Khan IRNA 05 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan Federal Cabinet in its special meeting on Thursday asked President General Pervez Musharraf to accept top nuclear scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer`s `appeal for pardon`.
  • Pakistan's top nuclear scientist apologizes PLA Daily 05 Feb 2004 -- Top Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan Wednesday asked the nation to "pardon him" in a speech on national TV channel for his unauthorized transfer of nuclear technology to other countries.
  • I-A-E-A / PAKISTAN VOA 05 Feb 2004 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency says it is alarmed by revelations of a large global nuclear black market and is calling on countries to deal with companies and individuals involved in such trafficking.
  • PAKISTAN / NUCLEAR VOA 04 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan's top nuclear scientist says he acted alone in exporting sensitive nuclear technology abroad. But the confession leaves many questions unanswered. There are serious doubts that he could have acted alone.
  • PAKISTAN / NUCLEAR PROBE VOA 04 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan's top scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan - known as the father of the country's nuclear bomb - has admitted proliferating nuclear technology and has begged for his nation's forgiveness in a dramatic address on state-run television.
  • Pakistan: Top Nuclear Scientist Takes Responsibility For Proliferation RFE/RL 04 Feb 2004 -- Pakistan's nuclear proliferation scandal took a dramatic turn today when the man at the center of the affair, Abdul Qadeer Khan, publicly accepted responsibility for selling Pakistan's nuclear secrets abroad.
  • Pak N-scientists charged with alleged know-how transfer IRNA 04 Feb 2004 -- Pakistani government has formally charged nuclear scientists and security officials for alleged transfer of nuclear technology to other countries, one of their lawyers said on Wednesday.
  • Pak N-scientist `accepts` he proliferated: statement IRNA 04 Feb 2004 -- Senior Pakistani Scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan has "accepted full responsibility" for the nuclear proliferation, an official statement said on Wednesday.
  • Pak N-scientist Qadeer admits proliferation IRNA 04 Feb 2004 -- Senior Pakistani nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has admitted that `many of the reported activities about nuclear proliferation did occur` and that these were initiated at his behest.
  • Text of Pak N-Scientist Qadeer Khan`s statement IRNA 04 Feb 2004 -- Renowned Pakistani nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan has admitted that `many of the reported activities about nuclear proliferation did occur` and that these were initiated at his behest.
  • PAKISTAN NUCLEAR PROBE VOA 04 Feb 2004 -- The former head of Pakistan's nuclear program has asked for clemency after taking responsibility for leaking nuclear weapons secrets to three nations. Pakistan's state-run television says Abdul Qadeer Khan made his appeal in a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf.
  • PAKISTAN-NUCLEAR VOA 03 Feb 2004 -- Michael Krepon, discusses recent developments regarding Pakistan's nuclear program. Mr. Krepon is Founding President of the Henry L. Stimson Center. The Stimson Center, founded in 1989, specializes in threat reduction and international security issues where policy, technology and politics intersect.
  • Pakistan: Did U.S. Intelligence Fail On Islamabad's Nuclear Proliferation Too? RFE/RL 03 Feb 2004 -- U.S. concern about Pakistan's possession of nuclear weapons was heightened after the terrorist attacks in America on 11 September 2001. Shortly afterward, President George W. Bush even sent his defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, to Islamabad to make certain that Pakistan was keeping its weapons secure. At that time Rumsfeld concluded that the program was safe. But now the founder of Pakistan's atomic-bomb program has admitted sharing nuclear-weapons secrets with Iran, North Korea, and Libya.
  • France ready to provide nuclear security assistance to Pakistan PLA Daily 03 Feb 2004 -- France is ready to provide technical support in the field of nuclear security to Pakistan, a French Foreign Ministry spokesman announced Monday.
  • Pakistan: Experts Unconvinced Islamabad Didn't Know About Nuclear Transfers RFE/RL 02 Feb 2004 -- The founder of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program has signed a confession in which he admits transferring nuclear technology to Iran, Libya, and North Korea. Islamabad continues to insist that neither Pakistan's government nor its military authorized the transfers. But experts say Khan's confession has not allayed suspicions that Pakistani officials may knowingly have allowed nuclear technology to be traded abroad.
  • PAKISTAN/NUCLEAR PROBE VOA 02 Feb 2004 -- The man at the head of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, Abdul Qadeer Khan, reportedly has confessed to transferring nuclear technology to Libya, Iran and North Korea.
  • Pak N-scientist Qadeer Khan says he is fine - daily IRNA 01 Feb 2004 -- Founder of Pakistan nuclear program Dr. Abdu Qadeer Khan was quoted in comments published on Sunday as saying that he has left his case to Allah Almighty.



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