February 05, 2004

Pakistani Nuclear Hero Admits Selling Secrets

The founder of Pakistan's nuclear program apologized in a nationally televised address Wednesday for spreading weapons secrets.

The government said Abdul Qadeer Khan asked President Gen. Pervez Musharraf for forgiveness.

"I have chosen to appear before you to offer my deepest regrets and unqualified apologies," Khan said in a solemn speech broadcast on state television. "I take full responsibility for my actions and seek your pardon."
[...]
A friend of the scientist said Tuesday that Khan told him he gave nuclear weapons technology to other countries with the full knowledge of top army officials, including Musharraf.

But Khan said government officials were not involved in the leaks.

"I also wish to clarify that there was never ever any kind of authorization for these activities by the government," he said.

More of the Bush Doctrine bearing fruit, as borne out by one of his star "pupils," Pervez Musharraf.
Looks like they handled the problem with Dr. Khan as best they could and it's good that the people of Pakistan can see this man Khan, whom they once revered as a national hero, on television (obviously not tortured or under duress) make an apology, ask for forgiveness from all, and seek to atone for the bad he's done.
It helps to establish Pakistan as a more civilized place where the rule of law and (Western, as opposed to sharia) Justice is respected, at least in my mind.
Now, the onus and the responsibility of this nuclear disaster is transferred to Iran and the NorKs and what they did with the technology that Khan sold them.
But the fact that Musharraf brought Khan to a public accounting (and not a Stalinist show trial with a public execution) and the fact that Khan now regrets what he did and seeks forgiveness is another BIG step in the GWOIT and the consequent war we fight to end rogue states proliferating the worst WMDs and their technology.