NYT, J. Miller: Iran nuke supplier sanctions, Dem ?s re. Dr. Khan

[DeepModem Mom]

Bush Puts Penalties on Nuclear Suppliers
By JUDITH MILLER

Published: April 2, 2004


The Bush administration is imposing sanctions on 13 foreign companies and individuals in seven countries that it says have sold equipment or expertise that Iran could use in nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs, according to administration and congressional officials....

***

Questioned by committee Democrats about whether there was evidence that General Musharraf was complicit in nuclear sales by Dr. Khan's network to Iran, Libya and North Korea, (Under Secretary of State John R. Bolton) said that while General Musharraf might have been aware of such sales, he might have been politically unable to stop them because Dr. Khan was "an icon in Pakistan -the father of the nuclear weapons program."

Mr. Bolton said he believed that President Musharraf might finally have been emboldened by the revelations last year of Iran's illicit nuclear activities and Libya's decision to renounce weapons of mass destruction.

Mr. Bolton, bristled visibly when committee Democrats suggested that he and other administration officials were overlooking Pakistani proliferation activities because of that state's cooperation in fighting terrorism.

"If we had information about complicity of top levels of the government of Pakistan, we would act on it," Mr. Bolton said....


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/02/politics/02iran.html

[sjgman9]

1. Oh boy! Here comes JUDITH MILLER

Is there anyway to put up a Judy Miller BS detector?

Seriously, if Pakistan's Doc Khan gave nuke material to Iran, we have problems.

If Musharaf werent nuclear-armed himself, we'd cut off his aid at the knees.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. I understand your cynicism toward Ms. Miller

Her conduct during the Iraq war scandlous.

Nevertheless, here she is merely reporting what John Bolten said. That should be our focus.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Bolton's take on the matter is unacceptable

Frankly, I don't give two bits for what Dr. Khan's reputation is in Pakistan. He sold his expertise to Iran, Libya and North Korea and thereby made the world a more dangerous place. He needs to be punished, regardless of what consequences it has for Musharraf or anybody else.

If Musharraf is looking the other way, he, too, should be punished. And if Bolton and the adminstration which serves doesn't think nuclear proliferation is that big of a deal, perhaps we should replace that administration with one that does.

[Lithos]

4. That's the rub

It is obvious that Musharraf had to have at the very least tacitly approved the knowledge transfer. All Dr. Khan did was take the fall so Musharraf could rap his knuckles in faux outrage and give Bush & co. an alibi to continue to ignore the real danger of nuclear armed terrorism.

It is also another example of why this mal-administration cares not one whit about the war on terrorism when it does not directly profit them. The development of rogue nuclear states with strong ties to terrorist groups is probably the worst of all possible developments. Instead we find ourselves distracted and our large land assets pinned down in a side show.