Pakistan Reviving Nuclear Black Market, Experts Say

Reuters ^ | Mar. 15, 2005 | Louis Charbonneau

[Crackingham]

Pakistan has developed new illicit channels to upgrade its nuclear weapons program, 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. "This was discussed at an NSG meeting in Vienna last week."

Nuclear experts said these channels involved new middlemen who had not played a role in earlier deals which came to light last year.

"These are not the same people. They're new, which is worrying," said one Western diplomat.

Pakistan is subject to sanctions against its atomic arms program as it has not signed the 1968 global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Pakistan first successfully tested a nuclear weapon in 1998 and remains under a strict embargo by the NSG, whose members include the world's major producers of nuclear-related equipment, such as the United States, Russia and China.

A diplomat from another NSG country that is a producer of technology usable in weapons programs said his country's customs agents were not surprised. "Our people are well aware of Pakistan's efforts to upgrade its centrifuge program."

[sukhoi-30mki]

But,but it was all one man's work,wasn't it???????

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping

[Qaz_W]

Quote:

FO denies illegal N-procurements

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday denied recent reports alleging illegal procurement from Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

“As a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan firmly adheres to the non-proliferation goals, even though it is not party to the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty),” Jalil Abbas, the Foreign Office spokesman, said in a statement.

He said Pakistan has also achieved excellence in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. “Pakistan will continue to work with members of the international community, both within and outside the International Atomic Energy Agency framework as well as with the United Nations to promote the goals of non-proliferation.”

He said the emphasis on nuclear non-proliferation did not mean that Pakistan had abandoned the need for international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. Last year, the Pakistani parliament passed a bill to control nuclear related exports. The government had repeatedly asserted that Pakistan’s nuclear programme was under a foolproof command and control authority.

Abbas told Daily Times that the government had accepted the request of a delegation of Nuclear Suppliers Group to visit Pakistan and discuss the nuclear non-proliferation issue. “Yes, they asked to visit Pakistan and we have accepted their request. We want to interact with the international community to promote the common goal of nuclear non-proliferation,” the spokesman said. He said no date for the arrival of the Nuclear Suppliers Group delegation was set so far.

The 44-member group seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons or technology from the member countries.

Unquote.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_17-3-2005_pg7_44