Al-Qaeda's Nuclear Contact?

Time ^ | TIM BURGER AND TIM MCGIRK

[milestogo]

Al-Qaeda's Nuclear Contact?

Monday, May. 19, 2003
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the No. 3 leader of al-Qaeda, who was captured in Pakistan on March 1, has been questioned extensively about his relationship with Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 hijackers. But his U.S. interrogators have also grilled him about another figure of much concern to Washington: Abdul Qadeer Khan, the maverick Pakistani scientist who has been called the father of the Islamic Bomb. U.S. intelligence, according to one official, has information that the al-Qaeda man and the nuclear scientist had connections with the same safe-house operator and may have crossed paths. They were "reported to be at the same place at approximately the same time," the official said. Under questioning, according to the source, Mohammed denied seeing Khan and downplayed any usefulness Khan may have had to al-Qaeda. Khan declined repeated requests from TIME to comment on the accusations.

The CIA believes that Khan had a key role in helping North Korea develop at least one or two nuclear devices, a senior official tells TIME. Under pressure from the U.S., the Pakistani government two years ago stripped Khan of his position in the nuclear and military establishment and barred him from traveling abroad without official permission. Within Pakistan, Khan is always accompanied by two military officers, Pakistani officials say. But Washington fears that he may still have enough freedom to be able to shop Pakistan's nuclear secrets to other clients. Says a Washington official: "He moves around very freely and has everything he needs inside his head, if not his briefcase."

[KingofQue]

Time to eliminate him

[ex-Texan]

The first time a Paki nuke goes off in the country --- there will be a series of Paki cities glowing forever in the dusky night.

If Pakistan wants to prevent such an event from taking place they had better neutralize the problem.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

TIME TO ELIMANATE HIM

.........and all his kin

[LibWhacker]

I'm amazed we haven't already done it. It should be a top priority.

[The_Media_never_lie]

If Pakistan wants to prevent such an event from taking place they had better neutralize the problem.

Heaven help the Islamist states if a nuke ever goes off over here. There will be simply nothing left. Fell two buildings and two countries fall. Nuke a city and ....?

[MadJack]

In his head,huh? Think a Predator-launched Hellfire can make a headshot from 10,00 feet?

[ChinaThreat]

Pakistan and Saudia Arabia are the breeding grounds of this Sunni/Wahabbi garbage. Afghanastan was only their playground. To finish off this pestilince we must call these governments to account. If they do not respond, we must take our own initiative to solve the problem. As long as these breeding grounds exist, so does the problem of fanatical wahhabism which i consider a direct threat to the existince of western culture.

Individuals, as well as nation states and civilizations have a right to self defense. Lack of action here will undoubtedly cost more American men, women and children. The ISI should be on the target list as well as any wayward mis-led prince in Saudia Arabia.

To kill an ant colony, you have to go deep. We have only mixed the sand on the surface. Now we have to get to the source and exterminate the vermin's nexus.

[piasa]

U.S. intelligence, according to one official, has information that the al-Qaeda man and the nuclear scientist had connections with the same safe-house operator and may have crossed paths. ... The CIA believes that Khan had a key role in helping North Korea develop at least one or two nuclear devices, a senior official tells TIME.

[Pro-Bush]

Is there a preemptive strike option for the US?

Over 10 million South Koreans, live within range of North Korean artillery guns.

A counterattack could not be permitted if we strike first.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!