Pakistan is dismissing as false a U-S newspaper report that a top Pakistani scientist has links to the nuclear efforts of North Korea, Iraq and Iran -- countries President Bush has called an "axis of evil." Pakistan's foreign ministry said Wednesday the report is "false and baseless" and part of a "malicious campaign" against Pakistan. The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday there is evidence suggesting Doctor Abdul Qadeer Khan spread nuclear knowledge to North Korea. The Times also says after North Korea admitted to resuming its nuclear program a few months ago evidence surfaced on the doctor's ties to the alleged nuclear weapons programs of Iran and Iraq after North Korea.
MAIN: PAKISTAN - NUCLEAR #
Pakistan is dismissing as false a U-S newspaper report that a top Pakistani scientist has links to the nuclear efforts of North Korea, Iraq and Iran -- countries President Bush has called an "axis of evil."
Pakistan's foreign ministry said Wednesday the report is "false and baseless" and part of a "malicious campaign" against Pakistani control over efforts to protect its nuclear technology.
The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday there is evidence suggesting Doctor Abdul Qadeer Khan spread nuclear knowledge to North Korea.
The Times also says after North Korea admitted to resuming its nuclear program a few months ago evidence surfaced on the doctor's ties to the alleged nuclear weapons programs of Iran and Iraq.
Pakistan's foreign ministry said today (Wednesday) the report is "false and baseless," calling it part of a "malicious campaign" against Pakistan's efforts to protect its nuclear technology.
Pakistan also called Doctor Abdul Qadeer Khan a distinguished scientist and a national icon.
The Los Angeles says the scientist negotiated the transfer of nuclear secrets to North Korea in the early 1990s. It says in exchange, Pakistan received ballistic missiles that can carry a nuclear warhead into India.
Before retiring in 2001, Doctor Khan headed a nuclear research program credited with giving Pakistan the nuclear bomb. He is not considered an Islamic radical.
Pakistan is a key U-S ally in the war on terrorism.
North Korea has triggered a diplomatic standoff with the United States by threatening to reactivate a nuclear facility it closed down in 1994.