Posted on 05/29/2002 10:56:57 PM PDT by milestogo
U.S. intelligence sources are convinced that Pakistan is trading nuclear secrets with Saudi Arabia in exchange for cash to maintain and expand its missile programs.
While Pakistan has acquired the expertise and the material to make nuclear bombs, it doesn't have the money for the infrastructure or the development of intermediate-range missiles to deliver the weapons.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia does not want to get caught as the only major power in the Persian Gulf without nuclear weapons and missiles.
So, the sources said, Riyadh has been pumping hundreds of millions of dollars for Islamabad's missile and nuclear programs.
The Saudi money is meant for the development of the Ghauri intermediate-range missile. The missile has a Pakistani name but actually is a close derivative of the North Korean No-Dong missile. Pakistan has developed several versions of the Ghauri.
Over the weekend, Islamabad announced the first such Ghauri test since 1999. This missile, also known as Hatf-V, has a range of 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) and is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
But Pakistan requires Saudi money for a much longer range missile. This would be able to reach a distance of 3,500 kilometers (2,170 miles) and enable Pakistan to strike virtually every major Indian city with nuclear warheads.
What do the Saudis want in return? Riyadh wants Pakistan to send the kingdom turn-key systems and help in developing a nuclear infrastructure to quickly assemble nuclear bombs.
The Saudis claim to be the "defenders of the holy places." I suggest they be forced to exist within a 30 mile radius of Mecca and Medina.
I am beginning to think that is what it will come to.
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