Author: Editorial
Publication: Christian Science
Monitor
Date: February 6, 2004
URL: http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0206/p10s02-comv.html
Selling nuclear-weapons technology
on the black market should be a crime against humanity. But not in Pakistan,
where first it can get you rich and then, after you're caught by foreigners,
a slap on the wrist and a presidential pardon.
That's what has happened to a scientist
named Abdul Qadeer Khan, who built Pakistan's atomic bomb but who also,
over many years, sold the blueprints and materials to make one to Iran,
North Korea, Libya, and perhaps other nations as well.
Mr. Khan has gotten off easy because
he appeared ready to implicate either former or current Pakistani military
officers who helped him or knew of his heinous enterprise. In a deal that
will go down in history as a sham, he made a televised confession on Wednesday,
and then was pardoned the next day by President Pervez Musharraf. "I have
much to answer for it," Khan said in his confession and apology. Indeed.
And why is this personal act of
nuclear proliferation being so quickly brushed under a dirty rug? Because
the United States needs the goodwill of the Musharraf government and the
Pakistani military in the continuing fight against Al Qaeda and in stabilizing
post-Taliban Afghanistan.
In fact, President Bush has asked
Congress to provide a $3 billion aid package for Pakistan as a favor for
its help in the US-led war on terror.
What a mess. Pakistan has now both
helped and hindered terrorism, with North Korea's nuclear-weapons program
being the most dangerous. Libya is giving up its program, while Iran appears
to be shelving its for now. But any of those countries could resell the
technology.
Both the US and the International
Atomic Energy Agency confronted Pakistan last year with evidence that nuclear
hardware and expertise had been given to Iran and North Korea, after years
of suspecting Pakistan was a likely source.
The US should insist that Pakistan
agree to international agreements on nuclear programs and submit to inspections.
Nuclear proliferation is too serious to not have Pakistan make amends for
this global tragedy.
Mr. Musharraf, too, must answer
to the world, and show how his country's nuclear experts will act differently.
