US military worried about Pakistan nuclear weapons

[sabra]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Nov 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. military is worried about the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons after President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule, prompting protests and arrests, a senior Pentagon general said on Wednesday.

Asked if the U.S. military was concerned about the security of those weapons, Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, director of operations for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said: "Certainly."

"Any time there is a nation that has nuclear weapons that has experienced a situation such as Pakistan is at present, that is a primary concern," Ham told reporters

"However, we'll watch that quite closely and I think that's probably all I can say about that at this point," he said.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N07549404.htm

[leveymg]

1. At least the Generals aren't all crazy.

Let's hope that also extends to the Pakistani military.

[sorrywrongemail]

2. I heard Reagan let them have them

is that true? Yet another example of blowback?

[Pavulon]

4. Not quite, but the west did turn a blind eye

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction

[IndianaGreen]

3. If you are worried about nukes, stop supporting the dictator Musharraf

before he wipes out his democratic opposition which would open the door to the Taleban.

[burrowowl]

5. Does this mean they are

going to take their eyes of the Iranian Nukes?

:sarcasm:

Like pakistan and India have had nukes for years and now they are worried!?

[ohio2007]

6. "The rath of Kahn" is upon them now. lucky for them the Chinese are a close neighbor

and have agreed to 'help out' in the event of invasion or civil unrest.


snip
It seems in fact that AQ Khan was able to manipulate the government and the Pakistani authorities did not want to know what was going on. Dr Khans personal profits were reportedly known by intelligence agencies since 1988, but Pakistans military authorities refused to act. Three events changed the picture the 1998 tests, the 1999 coup, the 2001 attacks and their aftermath. There was a progressive reorganisation of Pakistans nuclear programme between 1998 and 2001. Dr Khan was clearly reluctant to abide by the new rules, which included a better oversight of nuclear officials. He was making it known that he disapproved the reorganisation of Pakistani nuclear policy. Bhutto and Sharif, the latter in particular, were not completely out of the loop. It is hardly conceivable that successors to Beg as army chiefs were unaware of any transfers of nuclear technology.
snip
http://www.punjabilok.com/punb2/full.php?p=3025&more=1#more3025