Pakistan's nuclear scandal started in Europe
Pakistan's rogue scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan did not start the lucrative but dangerous trade in nuclear secrets and materials. The network really started in the heart of Europe, where a number of unscrupulous and greedy companies in Holland, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, backed by their governments, were more than willing to proliferate nuclear technology to Pakistan, despite warnings.
The proliferation has its roots in Europe's own postwar eagerness for nuclear independence from the United States and its lax security over potentially lethal technology. It was abetted, critics say, by competition within Europe for lucrative contracts to bolster state-supported nuclear industries. Even as their own intelligence services warned that Pakistan could not be trusted, some European governments continued to help Pakistan's nuclear program.
"It was an economic consideration," said Paul Stais, a former Belgian member of the European Parliament who lobbied unsuccessfully for tighter export controls.
Anyone think this will have any serious consequences for the involved parties? Maybe for some grunts, but don't expect any big fallout among those really responsible.
From Spartacus.
In a somewhat related development, IAEA inspectors have found parts for uranium enrichment centrifiges in Iran.Iranian officials deny they have such things. So if this report is confirmed, it is proof positive that 1) Iran lies; 2) Iran is working to develop nuclear weapons.
9:09:20 PM 
|
