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1 posted on 05/22/2008 2:20:19 AM PDT by Schnucki
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To: Schnucki

Why on earth would the CIA be helping Libya build nukes?


2 posted on 05/22/2008 2:41:28 AM PDT by lexusppd
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To: Schnucki

Interesting story, thank you. Expanded info here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080524/ap_on_re_eu/switzerland_nuclear_files&printer=1;_ylt=ApjbVIPW1n9SGhCsZh.gpJRbbBAF

Swiss destroy evidence in nuclear smuggling case

By HANSPETER HAEFLIGER, Associated Press Writer

Switzerland destroyed nuclear arms plans seized as evidence in a case linking a Swiss family to Libya’s now-abandoned atomic program. But President Pascal Couchepin stressed Friday it was to prevent them from falling into terrorists’ hands.

The documents formed part of a case against three members of the Tinner family who are suspected of involvement in the nuclear smuggling ring of Abdul Qadeer Khan, a key figure in Pakistan’s atomic weapons program. Khan has admitted selling nuclear arms technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

Couchepin said federal prosecutors discovered that the information contained in the files could be “explosive” for Switzerland’s national security.

“There were detailed construction plans for nuclear weapons, for gas ultracentrifuges to enrich weapons-grade uranium as well as for guided missile delivery systems,” Couchepin told reporters in the Swiss capital, speaking publicly on the matter for the first time.

Couchepin said the decision to destroy them was taken to prevent the documents getting “into the hands of a terrorist organization” or a rogue state.

He did not comment on the potential impact the destruction of evidence could have if the defendants are ever brought to trial, but implied only that the security and international policy risks were too great to permit its continued existence.

The documents were destroyed under the observation of the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency, he said. The government in November ordered the files to be destroyed, but did not make the decision public at the time.

Couchepin, who holds Switzerland’s yearly rotating presidency, read out a prepared statement and declined to answer questions about the case.

His appearance followed a week of media reports that the files were secretly ordered destroyed by the government last year after pressure from the United States, which was concerned that its efforts to clamp down on nuclear smuggling might be compromised.

The U.S. declined comment. “The embassy does not comment on intelligence issues,” spokeswoman Lisbeth Keefe said.

The documents were among those seized from the Tinners in the course of a government investigation that started in October 2004.

Prosecutors allege that Urs Tinner, who was arrested in 2004, oversaw machine work in Malaysia on gas centrifuge parts that were intercepted by Western intelligence services. Gas centrifuges are needed to enrich uranium for use in nuclear weapons.

Marco Tinner, whose Swiss-based company reportedly sold equipment to the Malaysian firm that manufactured the parts sent to Libya, is being held alongside Urs in investigative custody.

Friedrich Tinner, their father who has admitted knowing Khan since the 1970s, was released earlier this year.

All three are being investigated on suspicion of violating export laws on controlled goods and war materials. A trial date has not been set.

___

Associated Press writer Frank Jordans in Geneva contributed to this report.


4 posted on 05/24/2008 6:50:17 PM PDT by CutePuppy (If you don't ask the right questions you may not get the right answers)
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To: Schnucki

1991 : (IRAQ POSESSES SWISS GAS CENTRIFUGES — See PROLIFERATION, WMD, NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY) In 1991 Saddam had numerous Swiss centrifuges. In the 1950’s, the U.S. declassified the gaseous diffusion (centrifuge) method of separating nuclear isotopes used during WW-II on the assumption that no one would ever use such a primitive method again.-——3 posted on 10/13/2004 4:24:47 PM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets


10 posted on 06/04/2008 10:45:30 PM PDT by piasa (Attitude Adjustments Offered Here Free of Charge)
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To: Schnucki

Officially the CIA would not be involved in this but some subset of agency analysts might have been intentionally (corrupted) or adeptly “persuaded” (fed disinformation) to discount intelligence that it was occurring.

Remember Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame have made a handsome living by telling the world how wrong Bush was and how right they were- telling their agencies and now the media there could never be yellowcake diversion from Niger because the French “controlled” the mines.


12 posted on 07/07/2008 7:43:45 AM PDT by silverleaf (Fasten your seat belts- it's going to be a BUMPY ride.)
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