Pakistan reviving nuclear black market, experts say

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1468909.htm

VIENNA, March 15 (Reuters) - Pakistan has developed new illicit channels to upgrade its nuclear weapons programme, despite efforts by the U.N. atomic watchdog to shut down all illegal procurement avenues, diplomats and nuclear experts said.

Western diplomats familiar with an investigation of the nuclear black market by the U.N.'s Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said this news was disturbing.

While Pakistan appeared to be shopping for its own needs, the existence of some nuclear black market channels meant there were still ways for rogue states or terrorist groups to acquire technology that could be used in atomic weapons, they said.

"General procurement efforts (by Pakistan) are going on. It is a determined effort," a diplomat from a member of the 44-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

more

A tyrannical dictator with real WMDs? No problem. He is on our side...for now.

[bemildred]

1. Sounds like FUD to me.

I think you have to be a bit unrealistic to think the nuclear
genie is going to be put back in the bottle, or that the
already large set of nuclear powers is going to remain
fixed, even were such a goal was pursued in a rational way,
let alone with the sort of bizarre bullshit that is being
put out there by the Bushites.

People that are rapturous about the power of the market and
the driving force of free enterprise all of a sudden do a
brain reboot when the subject of things they think should not
be marketed or profited from come up, like "abuse" of drugs
or the international arms trade.

[htuttle]

2. We could sure use some CIA operatives to watch black market nukes

Too bad Rove blew their cover a few years ago.

[seasat]

3. Shrub Inc needs to world to have nukes.

How else are they going to sell their unrealistic boondoggle of a missile shield or their massive defense expenditures. I honestly think that the Repugs miss the cold war and would desperately love to start a new one.

[ashmanonar]

4. unfortunately a missile shield is no use

against a suitcase bomb in LA, or NY, or Chicago, or Atlanta. only rich/semi-rich/militaristic countries can afford missiles that have that kind of range. the most likely people to buy these nukes ("terrorists", rebels, etc) don't have that kind of funding, or support. they'd be most likely to use unconventional means to deliver the nuke (federal express, anyone?)

[bemildred]

6. Cargo containers. nt

[tom_paine]

5. The Busheviks must be very pleased

Their "allies" are now arming Imperial Amerika's "enemies" who will then attack Amerika with what the "allies" have supplied.

This will result in a catastrophe allowing the Busheviks to implement Phase Two of the Transformation of America happening that much faster.

[struggle4progress]

7. Pakistan wants to join nuclear suppliers group

Pakistan wants to join nuclear suppliers group
* Experts say Islamabad reviving nuclear black market

ISLAMABAD: Amid a widening investigation into a nuclear black-market run by its own disgraced top scientist, Pakistan on Tuesday announced that it wants to join a group of countries working to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The offer by Pakistan to join the 44-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) comes amid charges by diplomats and nuclear experts that Pakistan had developed new illicit channels to upgrade its nuclear weapons programme, despite efforts by the UN atomic watchdog to shut down all illegal procurement avenues. “Pakistan is fully prepared to interact with the NSG and to become a member so as to work together and promote nuclear nonproliferation,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani told The Associated Press.

The NSG is a voluntary organization that deals with the monitoring of sensitive dual-use equipment from industrialized countries that could be used for illicit weapons. <snip>

Western diplomats familiar with an investigation of the nuclear black market by the UN’s Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said this news was disturbing. While Pakistan appeared to be shopping for its own needs, the existence of some nuclear black market channels meant there were still ways for rogue states or terrorist groups to acquire technology that could be used in atomic weapons, they said. <snip>

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_16-3-2005_pg1_4


Third party can't interrogate A.Q. Khan: Pakistan

Islamabad, March 15 : In a move to cool down a raging controversy, Pakistan insists it will never allow any foreigner to interrogate disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan about his role in nuclear proliferation. <snip>

Rashid was opposing two identical adjournment motions moved by the opposition for a debate on his statement that Khan had sold centrifuges that could be used in the process of making nuclear bombs to Iran.

"No third party will be allowed to (interrogate Khan)", Rashid asserted.

He also maintained that the government was not responsible if Khan had transferred nuclear technology or material to other countries. <snip>

http://news.newkerala.com/india-news/?action=fullnews&id=85927

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. Pre-emptive war has created the demand

.
.
.

Someone was/is bound to be the supplier.

Roh Roh USA!

Revitalized a dying market

WE feel safer now? :shrug:

(sigh)