Pakistani leader says nukes will be safe ( 2004-01-25 09:51) (Agencies)
Pakistan's president said Saturday that airtight military control over his
country's nuclear weapons will keep them safe from terrorists — even if
something happens to him.
Pervez Musharraf, who endured two assassination attempts in the past month,
told The Associated Press that "as long as the military of Pakistan remains,
nothing can go wrong."
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Musharraf also
revealed details of how the development of Pakistan's secret nuclear program
gave wide latitude to scientists, possibly allowing them to sell nuclear secrets
"for personal gain."
The president told reporters that Pakistan is investigating the possibility
that government officials knew about leaks of technology abroad. Agents also are
checking bank accounts of nine scientists and administrators detained on
suspicion of selling information to Iran and elsewhere, an Interior Minister in
Pakistan said Saturday.
"We will sort out everyone who is involved," Musharraf said.
He said Pakistan's covert program to obtain nuclear weaponry started about 30
years ago, after neighboring India conducted nuclear tests, and that scientists
were given "freedom of action" to develop the technology.
"Covert meant scientists moved around with full autonomy in a secretive
manner," he said, adding that the program "could succeed only if there was total
autonomy and nobody knew. That is how it continued."
"Now, if there was some individual or individuals, unscrupulous, if they were
for personal gain selling national assets ... it was possible because it was not
open, it was not under strategic check and controls. That is why it was
possible," he added.
For years Pakistan rejected reports that its scientists might have been
involved in proliferation and provided technology to North Korea, Iran, Libya
and Iraq.
The country started hedging in December, however, and Musharraf said
investigations began after Iran disclosed to the U.N. inspection agency the
names of people who provided them with nuclear technology and they included
Pakistani scientists.
"I accept that," he said, adding that he would like to see European countries
and scientists investigated for their involvement, as well.
Musharraf, Pakistan's top general who seized power in a bloodless 1999 coup,
said that only the European countries had the sophisticated metallurgy necessary
to produce key elements for nuclear weapons.
"There are European countries involved in the refining and producing. It is
high-class metallurgy. Where is it available? In Europe. So why is no one
talking about it?" he said.
Musharraf said he set up the National Command Authority, which he chairs, to
oversee the nuclear program after he came to power. He said there was a system
of checks and "we have left no stone unturned to protect our assets."
He rejected suggestions that elements of the Inter-Services Intelligence
agency may have acted on their own in the past, sending nuclear secrets abroad
without the knowledge of the political leadership. He said the agency was under
firm control and he had twice changed the agency chief. "Let me assure you that
the ISI does exactly what the government wants them to do," he said.
Musharraf told AP after the meeting that Pakistan's nuclear weapons would be
protected even if he was killed. "The security of all of this is a military
responsibility. As long as the military of Pakistan remains, nothing can go
wrong."
He told reporters Friday there were multiple layers of security and not even
he had free access to all the equipment and information about the program. "I
don't think anyone knows where those weapons are. Nobody knows. Even the United
States doesn't know where they are. There is no attack possible on our nuclear
assets."
Musharraf blamed al-Qaeda for the attacks on his life. He said al-Qaeda was
still able to carry out bombings and limited attacks but as a whole was "on the
run and in hiding" with its leaders unable to communicate with each
other.
