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| Afghanistan/South Asia | |
| Perv vows no more leaks | |
| 2004-02-09 | |
| Hat tip LGF. President Pervez Musharraf, in an interview broadcast on Sunday, pledged that Pakistan had put a stop to the covert export of nuclear weapons know-how. "Please let it not be thought that the same proliferation activity will start again," Musharraf told the NBC network in an interview in Islamabad. "Never. That will never happen." *snap* "Shit! My harp burst three strings!" He was responding to questions about his handling of the confession last week by Abdul Qadeer Khan, revered as the father of Pakistan’s atomic bomb, that he had leaked secrets to Libya, North Korea and Iran as head of Pakistan’s nuclear program from the 1970s. Musharraf quickly pardoned Khan and rejected calls for an independent inquiry into the military’s role in the nuclear leaks. "His ass needs covering." Asked by NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw about charges that this amounted to a whitewash, Musharraf said: "I disagree with it absolutely. The dilemma is: he’s a great man, he’s a hero, and he’s a hero of every individual in the street. Yet he has done something which could bring harm to the nation. Now how do I deal with it?" Musharraf said. Bring him to justice, you beauzeau. "One must understand the reality. There’s an international perception. There’s a domestic perception," Musharraf said. Rather astigmatic, if you ask me. The Pakistani leader said he would back any move by the United States to put more troops into Afghanistan to turn up the pressure on al Qaeda. But he stressed U.S. forces hunting al Qaeda and Taliban fighters would not be allowed to cross into Pakistan. "Merkins keep out; we need to hide the kalashnikoveros." "Not only is it not possible, but it’s not required," Musharraf said. "We have developed a very effective quick reaction force. A mobile hard-hitting, quick reaction force. That is what is required and we are capable of doing all of that."
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| Posted by:Steve from Relto |
| #2 Musharraf doesn't even have control over Pakistan/Afghanistan border areas and he's going to plug up further leaks in his A-bomb program? Please. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-2-9 3:47:37 PM |
| #1 And in a carefully worded hint to Dr. Khan today: The pardon granted to metallurgist Abdul Qadeer Khan relates only to his admission that he transferred nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya, Pakistan said on Monday. "The pardon is specific to the charges made so far, and about which Dr A Q Khan has made a confessional statement... this is not a blanket pardon," foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said in Islamabad. Asked if Khan could be prosecuted in future, he said, "The investigations are continuing and they have not come to a closure." Translation: Khan needs to keep co-operating privately and quiet publicly, or else. He said there are strict security restrictions imposed on Khan and other tainted scientists. "Khan and those who have been investigated will not be allowed to resume their duties or activities. This has to understood clearly." He said Khan "has been cooperating with our authorities. We expect he will continue to cooperate." Asked how he could redefine the conditions of the pardon granted by President Pervez Musharraf, Khan said, "This is an authorised statement I made." Musharraf speaking through him. Two days ago, defence ministry spokesman Major General Shoukat Sultan had said the first information report against Khan was "sealed", meaning the case was closed as a result of the pardon. "But we can always open another one" |
| Posted by: Steve 2004-2-9 11:43:27 AM |