Questions over Pakistan gov't role in nuke scandal
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-02-05 15:04

The mystery of how the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb could have proliferated atomic secrets without the knowledge of the government dominated local newspaper comments on Thursday, a day after his dramatic personal apology.

Top scientist and national hero Abdul Qadeer Khan made a somber address on state television absolving the government and fellow scientists of blame in an apparent bid by all concerned to draw a line under a proliferation scandal stretching from Libya to the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf (R) meets with the country's top nuclear scientist, Abdul Qadeer Khan, in Islamabad, February 4, 2004. Khan appeared on state television on Wednesday to confess and apologise for leaking nuclear secrets to other countries, while absolving the government of any responsibility.  [Reuters]

"This is the point that needs to be cleared up as Dr Khan's statement only admits half the fact," it said. "It can be expected that the government will provide the necessary information to satisfactorily put an end to the case."

Commentators said Khan's confession smacked of a cover-up, possibly part of a wider deal to spare the powerful military unwanted scrutiny in any trial and to allow Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to sidestep pressure from Islamists and nationalists.

The United States, which has urged Pakistan to stop illegal proliferation to what it considers "rogue" states, has publicly backed Musharraf, who is a key ally in its war on terror.

The exposure of one of the greatest nuclear proliferation scandals in history has raised worry that the size of a nuclear black market used by Khan to sell technology to Iran, Libya and DPRK may be far bigger than initially feared.

UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR SUPERMARKET

Several Western diplomats told Reuters they suspected the black market uncovered by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) might only be the tip of the iceberg.

Media attention has focused on Khan's atomic aid to Libya, Iran and DPRK. But diplomats said it could not be ruled out other countries had been customers of his network of nuclear "middlemen."

The case is sensitive for the United States since it is eager to avoid jeopardizing the position of Musharraf as leader of Pakistan, which -- along with Saudi Arabia and Indonesia -- is one of the key three nations with which Washington is allied in the war on terror.

Musharraf has already made many enemies in Pakistan for supporting the U.S.-led war on terror and trying to make peace with India. The general narrowly survived two assassination attempts late last year blamed on disgruntled Islamic militants.

Khan's words appeared intended to distance Musharraf.

"There was never ever any kind of authorization for these activities by the government. I take full responsibility for my actions and seek your pardon," the silver-haired 69-year-old said in his television address, speaking in English.

Western diplomats and many Pakistanis believe Khan could not have sold nuclear secrets and sent technology for enriching uranium abroad without the knowledge of top military officials.

A key part of the investigation focused on Khan's vast personal fortune, which press reports said he may have amassed through selling secrets.

NOT EMBARRASSING MUSHARRAF

An open trial of Khan could lead to embarrassing evidence implicating the army, which Musharraf heads, and make a national martyr of the scientist. Analysts say Musharraf may have agreed to pardon Khan in return for his apology.

The cabinet was due to meet later in the day to consider Khan's "mercy petition."

Khan sought to clear his fellow scientists, who he said acted under his instructions. Four other scientists have been questioned in the investigation along with two brigadiers responsible for security at the nuclear facility where he worked.

A senior military official told Pakistani journalists on Sunday that Khan had made a detailed statement confessing to supplying designs, hardware and materials used to make enriched uranium for atomic bombs to Iran, Libya and DPRK.

Khan has been reported in foreign media as saying he acted on the indirect instructions of two former army chiefs, Generals Aslam Beg and Jehangir Karamat. Beg has denied the charge.

Pakistan originally denied its nuclear secrets and technology had been leaked, either officially or by individuals.

But it launched an investigation in November after the IAEA provided evidence pointing to Pakistani involvement in Iran's nuclear program. Similar links have been found with Libya.