by emptywheel
Does it bother anyone that--at a time when Pakistan's Interior Ministry is raising concerns about the Taliban taking over significant chunks of Pakistan, the father of Pakistan's nuke program is on the loose? [Thanks to Mimikatz for the spelling correction.]
Authorities have eased the virtual house arrest imposed on A.Q. Khan, the disgraced scientist who sold Pakistan's nuclear secrets to Iran, North Korea and Libya, officials said Monday.
[snip]
However, two senior government officials told the AP that the restrictions were eased several months ago and that Khan could now meet friends and relatives either at his home or elsewhere in Pakistan.
"He is virtually a free citizen," said one of the officials, who is attached to the nuclear program.
It just seems to me that the conjunction of these two events--Al Qaeda's state ally taking over Pakistan at the same time as Pakistan's chief nuclear proliferator goes free--that would raise the concerns of the same people who brought us to war against Iraq because of Saddam's phantom nukes and phantom ties to Al Qaeda.
But apparently Dick Cheney (and the non-experts he's got in charge of our Pakistan policy) has it all under control, and we don't have to worry about countries that could give Al Qaeda nukes anymore. Gosh, that's a relief.
Two oo's, Marcy. On the Loose.
Posted by: Mimikatz | July 02, 2007 at 16:57
Marcy - I would think that Musharraf was pressured to release Khan by Khan's supporters in the Pakistani military, and there is a significant cadre in the military that are sympathetic to the Taliban. So, who really controls the nukes in Pakistan, Musharraf, the military, or the pro-taliban faction in the military? Next thing AQ Khan will be on the Shopping Network selling nuclear kits. Heckuva job Dick.
Posted by: Ishmael | July 02, 2007 at 17:19
Well, everyone knows that Pakistan and the Saudis are our good buddies and don't support terrorists. [/snark]
I've suspected for some time that there are people in both the Pakistani and Saudi governments that are feeding information straight to the various groups trying to overthrow those governments. I'd hope the critical people in our government also have that in mind.
Posted by: P J Evans | July 02, 2007 at 17:20
The article said that AQ
Musharraf is under tremendous pressure. (Been reading "Frontline Pakistan" which someone recommended.) But one question is what shape Khan is in. He was evidently recently treated for prostate cancer. (Many people recover with treatment, and some even run for President, so maybe he's ok.)
The resurgent Taliban and probkems in P'stan are much bigger worries than whether Iran is giving munitions to someone in Iraq or whether Hizb'ullah is helping one faction or another in Iraq. But still the fixation with Iran, who doesn't have nukes, and the blindness to Pakistan, which does and is more unstable.
Posted by: Mimikatz | July 02, 2007 at 17:35
Oops--the first line should have been deleted.
Posted by: Mimikatz | July 02, 2007 at 17:35
OT - Libby's sentence COMMUTED!!!! Turn on CNN!!!!
Posted by: Ishmael | July 02, 2007 at 17:50
Khan and Libby. Who do you suppose poses the biggest threat???
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