Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Latest Developments in Case of Pakistani Scientist Who Sold Nuclear Secrets
Aired February 10, 2004 - 05:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf was curious. For three years, he suspected that Pakistan's top nuclear scientist was passing technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea, that according to today's "New York Times." Abdul Qadeer Khan has been pardoned but the issue has not been easy to resolve.
Live to Islamabad now and our bureau chief there, Ash-Har Quraishi. He is live via video phone -- hello, Ash-Har.
ASH-HAR QURAISHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Well, it's been a gradual process now. According to the report in the "New York Times," President Musharraf said he had suspicions as far back as three years. Now, that coincides with what we saw happening with Dr. Khan until then. He actually was sidelined first and then two years later removed completely from the laboratories, and then eventually last week removed from his advisorship role.
But as you mentioned, it has been a tough and long road for President Musharraf, with political ramifications here at home.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QURAISHI (voice-over): It's arguably one of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's most difficult crises since coming to power in a 1999 military coup. On one hand, a national hero accused of nuclear proliferation; on the other, an international community looking for Musharraf to be tough.
PRESIDENT PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, PAKISTAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Although he has made some mistakes for which I am regretful, he is our national hero, so I grant Dr. Khan pardon.
QURAISHI: A pardon for someone who had confessed to supplying nuclear know how to countries listed on U.S. President George W. Bush's axis of evil. In normal times, the U.S.' reaction might have been nothing short of outrage. Instead...
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: The action he took with respect to pardoning Mr. Khan is something that he felt that was appropriate for him to do and he has explained his position thoroughly.
MUSHAHID HUSSAIN, PAKISTANI SENATOR: I think the chapter is closed. You're talking of 2004, President Bush is keen on only one thing, his reelection. And he needs Pakistan very badly for that -- for Taliban, for Osama bin Laden, for stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan is too pivotal an ally for America in the present situation.
QURAISHI: Pakistan says it will not allow the U.N. to inspect its nuclear facilities, although it would share its findings, it refuses to hand over any documents from the investigation to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Still, the international community appears satisfied.
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: And obviously it's a very difficult situation that he has to deal with. He's dealing with a national hero who has been found himself in this situation. He has given the assurance, and I saw him last month in Davos, where he assured me that they are going to take every measure to ensure that this sort of trafficking does not take place.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
QURAISHI: Observers here say the U.S.' easy acceptance of Dr. Khan's pardon has everything to do with timing. In a U.S. election year, President Bush can only push his Pakistani counterpart so far and still hope for full cooperation in dismantling the nuclear proliferation black market and a final spring push to catch Osama bin Laden -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Ash-Har Quraishi live from Islamabad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Sold Nuclear Secrets>
Aired February 10, 2004 - 05:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf was curious. For three years, he suspected that Pakistan's top nuclear scientist was passing technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea, that according to today's "New York Times." Abdul Qadeer Khan has been pardoned but the issue has not been easy to resolve.
Live to Islamabad now and our bureau chief there, Ash-Har Quraishi. He is live via video phone -- hello, Ash-Har.
ASH-HAR QURAISHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Well, it's been a gradual process now. According to the report in the "New York Times," President Musharraf said he had suspicions as far back as three years. Now, that coincides with what we saw happening with Dr. Khan until then. He actually was sidelined first and then two years later removed completely from the laboratories, and then eventually last week removed from his advisorship role.
But as you mentioned, it has been a tough and long road for President Musharraf, with political ramifications here at home.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
QURAISHI (voice-over): It's arguably one of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's most difficult crises since coming to power in a 1999 military coup. On one hand, a national hero accused of nuclear proliferation; on the other, an international community looking for Musharraf to be tough.
PRESIDENT PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, PAKISTAN (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Although he has made some mistakes for which I am regretful, he is our national hero, so I grant Dr. Khan pardon.
QURAISHI: A pardon for someone who had confessed to supplying nuclear know how to countries listed on U.S. President George W. Bush's axis of evil. In normal times, the U.S.' reaction might have been nothing short of outrage. Instead...
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: The action he took with respect to pardoning Mr. Khan is something that he felt that was appropriate for him to do and he has explained his position thoroughly.
MUSHAHID HUSSAIN, PAKISTANI SENATOR: I think the chapter is closed. You're talking of 2004, President Bush is keen on only one thing, his reelection. And he needs Pakistan very badly for that -- for Taliban, for Osama bin Laden, for stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan is too pivotal an ally for America in the present situation.
QURAISHI: Pakistan says it will not allow the U.N. to inspect its nuclear facilities, although it would share its findings, it refuses to hand over any documents from the investigation to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Still, the international community appears satisfied.
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: And obviously it's a very difficult situation that he has to deal with. He's dealing with a national hero who has been found himself in this situation. He has given the assurance, and I saw him last month in Davos, where he assured me that they are going to take every measure to ensure that this sort of trafficking does not take place.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
QURAISHI: Observers here say the U.S.' easy acceptance of Dr. Khan's pardon has everything to do with timing. In a U.S. election year, President Bush can only push his Pakistani counterpart so far and still hope for full cooperation in dismantling the nuclear proliferation black market and a final spring push to catch Osama bin Laden -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Ash-Har Quraishi live from Islamabad this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Sold Nuclear Secrets>
