'A Q Khan network behind Iran's nuclear programme'

waltky · 08-22-2007, 08:21 AM

Washington, Tuesday 21st August, 2007 : A German TV documentary on disgraced nuclear scientist Dr AQ Khan titled "The Mullahs' Phsyicist" claimed that Pakistan had mastered the process of uranium enrichment by mid-1980s, and despite the unstable relationship with Iran, officials from the two states held clandestine talks on nuclear cooperation.

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A review of the documentary by Tom Bielefeld and Hassan Abbas published in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists said that by 1984, Dr Khan's Kahuta facility had produced enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon. In parallel to the official talks between Iran and Pakistan, members of the Khan network started their own business with Iran.

From 1985, Heinz Mebus, a German engineer and former colleague of Dr Khan at Urenco, negotiated with Iranian officials, apparently on Dr Khan's behalf that the material in their possession constituted a valuable package, and they were willing to sell it, the documentary said. The film identifies Masud Naraghi as the Iranian individual in charge of these negotiations, the Daily Times reported.

Olli Heinonen, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Deputy Director General and responsible for the agency's investigation into Dr Khan's activities, confirmed Naraghi's role describing him as the "project leader" for Iran's enrichment programme in an interview for the film. The deal between the two sides was closed in 1987 at a hotel suite in Dubai, in the presence of both Mebus and Naraghi, according to the film.

More 'A Q Khan network behind Iran's nuclear programme'

waltky · 09-16-2007, 09:27 PM

Frenchies finally comin' around to the right way of thinkin'...

French minister warns world to prepare for war
Sunday 16th September, 2007 French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner says the world should prepare for war over Iran's nuclear program.

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In a television interview over the weekend he said the worst scenario would be war with Iran, but an Iranian nuclear weapon would pose a real danger for the whole world.

Mr Kouchner said France wanted the European Union to prepare more sanctions against Iran even while negotiations against their nuclear program continue.

Until now the Security Council of the United Nations has imposed economic sanctions on Iran, but did not allow for military action. The United States has not ruled out a military attack against Iran to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

French minister warns world to prepare for war

waltky · 09-21-2007, 01:05 AM

Tougher sanctions not a bad idea...

Sarkozy Wants Tougher Iran Sanctions
Friday September 21, 2007 - French President Nicolas Sarkozy accused Iran directly of seeking nuclear weapons Thursday and suggested tougher sanctions against the Mideast nation.

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Sarkozy, who has toughened the French position on Iran since taking office in May, called the possibility of an Iranian bomb ``unacceptable.'' Sarkozy was expected to discuss sanctions with other world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly next week.

If current sanctions are not sufficient, Sarkozy said, ``I want stronger sanctions,'' he said in a televised interview. But he insisted that France does not want to see tensions lead to war. The United States and other world powers suspect Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists it only wants nuclear technology to produce electricity. Two rounds of U.N. sanctions have failed to end the deadlock.

``It's a very difficult matter, but France does not want war,'' Sarkozy said. He said negotiations with Iran were still possible. Sarkozy, known for his frank manner, dispensed with diplomatic niceties when referring to Iran's nuclear activities.

``Iran is trying to acquire a nuclear bomb. I say to the French, 'It's unacceptable,''' Sarkozy said. ``How can we convince (the Iranians) to renounce this project as the international community has convinced North Korea and Libya? Through discussion, dialogue, sanctions,'' he said.

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waltky · 07-05-2008, 12:32 AM

Scientist: Pakistan sold nuke material to N. Korea...

Musharraf accused of N. Korea nuke deal
July 4, 2008 -- Khan: Uranium enrichment equipment sent from Pakistan in N. Korean plane; It "must have gone with his (Musharraf's) consent", says Khan; Musharraf spokesman: It is all lies and false statements; Khan had previously admitted selling nuclear secret to Iran, N. Korea and Libya

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North Korea received nuclear material from Pakistan in a 2000 shipment supervised by the army during the rule of President Pervez Musharraf, disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan said Friday. Khan told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that the uranium enrichment equipment was sent from Pakistan in a North Korean plane which was loaded under the supervision of Pakistani security officials.

His claims contradict his 2004 confession that he was solely responsible for spreading nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya -- and Pakistan's repeated denials its army or government knew about Khan's nuclear proliferation activities. Khan said the army had "complete knowledge" of the shipment of used P-1 centrifuges to North Korea and that it must have been sent with the consent of Musharraf, the then-army chief who took power in a 1999 coup.

"It was a North Korean plane, and the army had complete knowledge about it and the equipment," Khan said. "It must have gone with his (Musharraf's) consent." Khan's allegations, reported earlier Friday by the Japanese news agency, Kyodo, are his most controversial yet and could prove deeply embarrassing for both the army and Musharraf, a key ally in the U.S.-led war on terror. Musharraf's spokesman, Rashid Qureshi, rejected Khan's claims. "I can say with full confidence that it is all lies and false statements," he said. Army and Foreign Ministry spokesmen declined to give immediate comment Friday.

More Scientist: Pakistan sold nuke material to N. Korea - CNN.com

waltky · 07-05-2008, 11:03 PM

Cover-up...

Day after AQ claim, Pak says case closed
6 Jul 2008, Pakistan's foreign ministry insisted on Saturday that its nuclear proliferation case was closed, a day after the disgraced architect of its atomic program claimed the army under President Pervez Musharraf helped spread the technology.

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Abdul Qadeer Khan said on Friday that Pakistan's army supervised a 2000 shipment of used P-1 centrifuges to North Korea. It must have been sent with the approval of Musharraf, the then-army chief who took power in a 1999 coup, Khan alleged. "It was a North Korean plane, and the army had complete knowledge about it and the equipment," Khan said. "It must have gone with his (Musharraf's) consent."

The comments caused a stir in Pakistani media, and newspapers played the story prominently on their front pages on Saturday. Mohammad Sadiq, spokesman for the foreign ministry, offered only limited comment, however. "The nuclear proliferation issue is a closed case," Sadiq said, reiterating a longtime Pakistani stance. "We do not think that a debate is required on it." Pakistan's top nuclear authority rejected claims on Saturday by Khan that the army and Musharraf sent centrifuges to North Korea in 2000. Lieutenant General Khalid Kidwai, head of the Strategic Planning Division (SPD), told a select group of reporters there was "enough evidence" about the proliferation network that Khan had run from 1987.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied that its army or government knew about Khan's proliferation activities. Still, Khan's allegations match expert assessments that running such a network would have been very difficult without some involvement from Pakistan's security apparatus. Musharraf's spokesman, Rashid Qureshi, rejected Khan's claims. "I can say with full confidence that it is all lies and false statements," he said. In a speech Friday, Musharraf made no mention of Khan's allegations.

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waltky · 09-14-2008, 07:00 AM

AQ Khan, the nuclear jihadist...

'A Q Khan behind Libyan, Iranian & S Korean N-programmes'
13 Sep 2008, AQ Khan is still considered a rogue nuclear scientist.

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Now, a new confidential report released by the International Atomic Enery Agency (IAEA) reiterates the long held suspicions that AQ Khan is not only the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, but the father of the Libyan, Iranian and South Korean nuke programmes as well.

Hailed as a national hero back home, the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme AQ Khan finds himself in trouble yet again. This time its the top nuclear watchdog that has accused him of spearheading global nuclear proliferation, Khan stands accused of running a global nuclear smuggling network from Pakistan.

A confidential IAEA report released on Friday (September 12), accuses Khan of kickstarting Libya's nuclear programme, supplying Muammar Gadaffi's regime with crucial enrichment technology. "In 1984, Khan described to a senior Libyan official the technologies for acquiring nuclear material, and the necessary resources and capabilities, and offered to sell Libya centrifuge enrichment technology," read the report.

The report goes on to say that Gaddafi rejected Khan's offer for the Pakistanis were giving him a bad deal. "However, the Libyan authorities felt that the value of the information provided by Khan was not commensurate with what Libya had paid for it. No complete centrifuges were delivered to Libya as part of this deal."

But AQ Khan was quick to deny these allegations. He said, "There is no mention of Pakistan anywhere in the report." Khan who is already under the UN scanner for supplying Iran and North Korea with nuclear know how, now risks being branded the most infamous nuclear black-marketeer of all time.

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