US Welcomes Pakistan's Investigation into Illegal Nuclear Technology Transfer

The United States has welcomed the investigations conducted by the Pakistani government regarding the illegal transfer of nuclear technology to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Libya, and North Korea. The US government's satisfaction with this matter comes after Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of Pakistan's nuclear program, admitted to providing information related to the production of nuclear weapons to Iran, Libya, and North Korea. In Washington, a spokesperson for the US State Department told reporters that the United States appreciates the commitment of Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, to take decisive action against anyone involved in the illegal proliferation of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, in Islamabad, Pakistani officials say that Abdul Qadeer Khan has confessed in writing that between 1989 and 2000, he provided Pakistan's nuclear secrets to the three countries without the knowledge of the government. On Saturday, the Pakistani government announced that Abdul Qadeer Khan has been removed from his important position as scientific advisor to the Prime Minister. It is reported that six of Mr. Khan's associates have also confessed to leaking Pakistan's nuclear secrets. The Pakistani government's investigations in this regard began last November after the International Atomic Energy Agency became aware of connections between Pakistan and nuclear research programs in Iran and Libya.