Pakistan's top nuclear scientist apologizes
PLA Daily 2004-02-05
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- 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.
"There was never any kind of authorization for these activitiesby the government, I take full responsibility for my actions and seek your pardon," Abdul Qadeer Khan said.
In past two months, more than a dozen nuclear scientists, engineers and administrators have been questioned in a probe into leaks of Pakistan's nuclear know-how to other countries.
"The investigations have established that many of the reported activities did occur and these were inevitably initiated at my behest, and I have much to answer for," he said.
"I have chosen to appear before you to offer my deepest regretsand unqualified apologies," the father of the country's nuclear bomb said.
He said he accepted full responsibility for the nuclear transfers, which he said were carried out "in good faith but on errors of judgment related to unauthorized proliferation activities."
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