From this morning's Washington Post, more information about how Pakistani scientists sold nuclear weapons technology to Iran and Libya using a network of middlemen from Western countries.
"Abdul Qadeer Khan, considered the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, and Mohammed Farooq provided the help -- including blueprints for equipment used to enrich uranium -- both directly and through a black market based in the Persian Gulf emirate of Dubai, the officials said.
The middlemen, from South Africa, Germany, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka and elsewhere, allegedly also offered the Pakistani scientists' services to Syria and Iraq. But the deals apparently never materialized, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
In return for the scientists' assistance in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Iran channeled millions of dollars to foreign bank accounts allegedly controlled by the two men..."
The investigation, which began late last year, is likely to gain momentum for at least two reasons, Libya's newly cooperative attitude, and the desire of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to limit the influence and activities of extreme elements in his government and security and military organizations. Neither of these reasons would exist without the preemptive policy embraced and implemented by President George Bush.
Posted by publius at January 28, 2004 04:47 PM