Pak considering shifting N-arsenal to China

The Indian Express ^ | 11/5/01 | unknown

[Rebelbase]

LONDON, NOVEMBER 4: PAKISTAN is under pressure to move all or part of its nuclear weapons to China for safekeeping from fundamentalists and it is apprehensive of pre-emptive strikes on its nuclear sites by America, India or Israel to prevent the weapons falling into fundamentalist hands, media report said today quoting Pakistani sources.

The threat to weapons widely regarded as the Pakistan military’s ‘‘crown jewels’’ has forced Islamabad ‘‘to consider removing warheads to China, Pakistan’s closest strategic ally in the region,’’ the Sunday Times reported.

The prospect that loose warheads might be loaded onto helicopters or moved around a region foaming with fundamentalist turmoil is adding to fears in Washington that the war in Afghanistan might provoke a nuclear crisis.

According to the report, Abdul Sattar, the Pakistani Foreign Minister, insisted last week the arsenal was secure. But Washington officials have expressed mounting alarm that any coup attempt against General Pervez Musharraf, the military President, might put Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal at risk.

Pakistani generals were appalled by one authoritative American report last week that an elite Pentagon undercover unit, trained to disarm nuclear weapons, was exploring plans for a mission inside Pakistan. (PTI)

[okie01]

"Under the circumstances, not an altogether bad idea."

The Pakis would be advised to recall the fate of the Spanish treasury -- all the gold recovered from the New World, crown jewels and priceless ancient coins. At the time, it was the third largest stock of gold in the world.

During the Spanish Civil War, the Loyalists (synonym for Commies) loaded up the entire treasury and shipped it to the Soviet Union for "safekeeping".

It hasn't been seen since...

[Sawdring]

They would need to move the nuclear weapons, missiles, launchers and any other devices they would need to deliver them and China would need to let Pakistan fire the weapons from their territory for deterrence theory to hold up between India and Pakistan. Otherwise, India would have a golden opportunity to end the Pakistani problem once and for all. I doubt India would ever attack Pakistan with nuclear weapons unless provoked in some weird situation.

[garycooper]

From what I understand, most nukes are kept in different parts that must be combined before activating the weapon. We could probably just remove some of the more critical components of the bombs and install some other safety devices, making them impotent.

While not perfect, it sounds more desireable than giving them to China.

[Rebelbase]

Thanks. I missed that article from Sunday.

[Rebelbase]

You have a good point. Take the fissionable material out of Pakistan. Destroy the rest. I'd hate for Saddam to get a hold of everything but the plutonium. He most likely already has that.

[American_Patriot_For_Democracy]

Giving China Pakistan's nuclear missiles is like giving a baby's food to his mother for safe-keeping. Did we forget that China was the one who actually gave Pakistan their nuclear weaponry in the first place? Those missiles would soon be back in Pakistan's hands, and this time, there may be more of them given to them, and who knows whose hands they would fall into next?

[PoorMuttly]

"Next!"

[Fulbright]

Does Pak get its toys back from the PRC if an Islamic fundamentalist regime takes over?

You betcha.

[Mixer]

This is an all together insane idea. That's it give China MORE nukes.

[Slic]

Other Indian sources are reporting a build up of Pak forces on the Indian border -- if the Paki's think there is going to be trouble I'm sure the nukes will stay.

[OWK]

Does Pak get its toys back from the PRC if an Islamic fundamentalist regime takes over? You betcha.

Does Mullah Omar get 'em if the Pak government falls?

You betcha.

Like I said... no pretty solution.

[Jefferson Adams]

Under the circumstances, not an altogether bad idea.

I agree. I hope they do it.

[OWK]

This is an all together insane idea. That's it give China MORE nukes.

The Chinese already have a far heavier aresnal than the Pakistani crap, and they have the ICBM's to deliver 'em.

[Map Kernow]

The Chinese already have a far heavier aresnal than the Pakistani crap, and they have the ICBM's to deliver 'em.

Did your source in the ISI tell you this? The Chinese may have about 200 warheads, with missiles that can reach our West Coast. The Paks have 30-35 warheads, and they have ballistic delivery capability. So you're saying if the Chinese get 35 more warheads they can turn against us, that's "OK" with you?

[ChaseR]

‘‘to consider removing warheads to China, Pakistan’s closest strategic ally in the region"

Why of course to China...from hence where they came (thanks treasonous bastard Bill Clinton for helping with the guidance system for each
and everyone of the Chinese missiles ie.
THE CLINTON NATIONAL SECURITY SCANDAL AND COVERUP - Thread XI

[Savage Beast]

At this time, there is one thing--and only one thing--preventing a nuclear holocaust, and that is American military power. The United States must maintain its military superiority at all cost. The fate of the world depends upon it.

[xm177e2]

This would be very positive, if they would relieve themselves temporarily (or permanently) of nukes--but they would need India's promise not to attack, and they could only get that if Pak stopped supporting the terror in Jammu and Kashmir, and that would basically mean surrenderring all claims to those regions, except through peaceful means.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

This is wacky. No sovereign state would do this -- to do so would admit weakness to your own people. You would lose support amongst your own population. Remember Saddam Hussein flying his air force to Iran for safekeeping? Never got one jet back.

[a history buff]

The PRC gave them the nukes to begin with....

[betty boop]

Under the circumstances, not an altogether bad idea.

Hi OWK! You trust the PRC? Why? best, bb.