AP: Pakistan Knew of Nuclear Black Market

[truthisfreedom]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&e=3&u=/ap/20040307/ap_on_re_as/nuclear_black_market

AP: Pakistan Knew of Nuclear Black Market

1 hour, 2 minutes ago

By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer

VIENNA, Austria - U.N. investigators are increasingly certain Pakistan government leaders knew the country's top atomic scientist was supplying other nations with nuclear technology and designs, particularly North Korea (news - web sites), diplomats told The Associated Press.

While rogue nations were the main customers of the nuclear black market, sales of enriched uranium and warhead drawings have fed international fears that terrorists also could have bought weapons technology or material, the diplomats said.

The investigation has widened beyond Iran, Libya and North Korea — the identified customers of the network headed by Abdul Qadeer Khan — they said, speaking on condition of anonymity in a series of interviews.
<snip>
Despite denials by the Pakistani government, investigators now are certain that some, if not all, of the country's decision makers were aware of Khan's dealings, especially with North Korea, which apparently helped Islamabad build missiles in exchange for aid with its nuclear arms program, said one diplomat.

"In all cases except Pakistan, we are sure there was no government involvement," he said. "In Pakistan, it's hard to believe all this happened under their noses and nobody knew about it."

The diplomats didn't say which parts of the Pakistani government might have known of Khan's black market activity - military, political or both.