N.Korea, Iran, Pakistan Could‘Share Missile Technology’ (data sharing cuts down time & cost)

North Korea’s Taepodong-2 missile appears to be the same model as Iran's Shahab-5 missile, a report on North Korea's ballistic missile program by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) under the Foreign Ministry says. The report states that Iran and China have a defense industry cooperation pact, hinting at a three-way relationship that also includes China’s long-term ally North Korea. "It cannot be ruled out that the very difficult turbo pump technology problem was solved with the help of China," it adds. The report also says North Korea's mid-range Rodong missile is almost exactly the same as Pakistan's Ghauri and Iran's Shahab-3 missile, which suggests that another data sharing and exchange relationship between the three may be the reason North Korea was able to deploy 50 of its Rodong missiles after conducting just one test-launch.

The report indicates the background to North Korea's missile development are such "international connections" bringing together funds from China and South Asia, technology from the former Soviet Union, and Chinese equipment. "In the early 1990s as the U.S. and the Soviet Union started to move away from short- and medium-range missiles, North Korea and China were able to conquer that world niche market," it says. "Once China in the gaze of the international community began to throttle back its export of long-range ballistic missiles, North Korea became the sole remaining player in that market."

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the report was based on information from academics and does not reflect the government's official position.

I remember a story by a N. Korean defector who was a missile technician in N. Korea. He said that one day he was on a ship for long journey, and when he finally got off, he was in some Mid-East country where he took part in a missile test launch, and was straight back on the ship for home. Little contact with locals.

http://www.india-defence.com/reports/1447

United States pushes Pakistan to hand over A.Q. Khan to CIA

US president George W.Bush has asked Pakistan president Parvez Musharraf to permit full interrogation of A.Q.Khan who is accused of running a vast nuclear black market across continents.

The US president made it clear during his Pakistan visit that without Khan's full interrogation, there would be no talk of meeting Pakistan's nuclear energy requirements.

Bush has rejected Pakistan's contention for an 18 July-like agreement to meet its energy needs from nuclear power.

On the other hand, Bush has demanded that Khan should be interrogated without delay, adding that it would boost Pakistan's image internationally.

Diplomats said he has also asked Musharraf to ensure the full safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear facilities which could be verified by international agencies.

Top sources said that the US is in no mood to listen to Pakistan's arguments about India's nuclear programme, reminding that Pakistan was responsible for its own predicament.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0531/p04s02-wosc.html

"The government of Pakistan does not allow direct interrogation of Khan," says Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, spokesman for the Pakistani military.

"It cannot be ruled out that the very difficult turbo pump technology problem was solved with the help of China

And China was helped by Loral, which was helped by Bill Clinton in exchange for campaign donations from Bernie Schwartz.

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