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ISLAMABAD: Mark Fitzpatrick, an expert on nuclear proliferation, renewed on Thursday fears of Saudi Arabia trying to get nuclear technology from Pakistan, saying retired Pakistani nuclear scientists could be recruited by the Saudis.
“It’s pretty clear that Saudi Arabia may be looking for a nuclear neutraliser with Iran … so some Pakistani retired scientists could be asked for help,” Mr Fitzpatrick, director of the non-proliferation and disarmament programme at the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said at the launching of his book ‘Overcoming Pakistan nuclear dangers’ at the Institute of Strategic Studies.
Mr Fitzpatrick referred to media reports suggesting that Saudi Arabia had financed Pakistan’s nuclear programme at the time of its inception and said that it could have come with implicit or explicit understanding that Pakistani nukes would be used for Saudi defence.
He said Saudis were concerned about Iranian nuclear advancements, but did not have a well-developed infrastructure to start their own.
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Comments (23) Closed
May 09, 2014 09:24am
Nothing new year.
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May 09, 2014 11:02am
Cover up for US citizen attempting to fly with weapons to Islamabad?
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May 09, 2014 12:20pm
Since world war 1, Saudi Arabia is being defended by USA and UK. There is no need for them to worry about Iranians in the presence of two American aircraft carriers in the Gulf. Do not forget it was created by UK by cutting Ottomon empire and they will not abandon their child in any case.
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May 09, 2014 04:05pm
No need to ask where Saudi Arabia are going to get the nuclear technology from. They will get it as a gift from somewhere, not a sale transaction but exchange of gifts. Cannot imagine what will happen to the country that gifts nuclear technology though.
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May 09, 2014 04:24pm
Probably just a ploy by the Saudis to show the Americans how serious they are about their anger at the Iranians. The thing is, after years of US playing with these countries, now these little countries know how to play the US.
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May 09, 2014 05:20pm
I would not let that bother my mind at all about this because I know Saudis have lot better things in life to do than indulging themselves into such serious self inflicting devices.
They are better off with camels and hunting their favorite aphrodisiacs, a certain exotic specie of falcons, from brotherly Pakistan ruled now by their protege Sharif brothers
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May 09, 2014 05:30pm
Perhaps Mr. Fitzpatrick can also write about how Israel got its nuclear weapons and why the West is so silent about it. Also, quite hypocritical of nuclear-armed countries to cry foul over other's nuclear ambitions.
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May 09, 2014 05:32pm
Iran or Israel? why don't Fitzpatrick write the truth? and if this is true story then against Israel Pakistan must help the Arabia.
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May 09, 2014 05:36pm
@GA Jealousy.....lol.
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May 09, 2014 05:56pm
So what is wrong with Pakistan helping Saudis in their defense. All other nuclear powers do for other countries. Also, every country has the right to nuclear technology. Did Mr. Fitzpatrick also find out that France was the first country who proliferated nuclear weapons technology in the Middle East when they helped Israel to build its nuclear weapons. What right for goose is right for gander also.
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May 09, 2014 05:58pm
Why to worry about other getting the same technology which they are themselves using. Every country has the right to have the capabilities to defend their country.
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May 09, 2014 10:37pm
But he also mentioned that Strategic Plans Division has a proper system which keeps an eye on scientists and engineers after their retirement. So Pakistan is well aware of all the issues and has taken pre-emptive measures to counter as well.
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May 09, 2014 11:24pm
Israel imported its nuclear technology from France, Germany and UK with the permission of U.S., it even bought nuclear submarines that can launch nuclear strikes. No one complained. The same American and French companies are building 16 nuclear reactors by 2019 at a cost of $7 billion each for Saudis now. Money makes the world sing. Don't blame Pakistan, blame your capitalist greed.
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May 10, 2014 02:44am
Only a short while back the United States, and Israel created such a hue and cry over the Iran's nuclear project, and now they are scared of Saudi Arabia, but the question is why? And the answer is that the US doesn't want to see stability in the middle east, because that is the region from where they get the maximum amount of oil at their desired rates, moreover, they also keep them under their thumb, but now they feel intimidation, because if stability will come to middle east, then where they will play their monopoly.
Saudi Arab has all the rights to get a nuclear technology, they are also under stress, and it's their right to protect themselves. And Pakistan must provide all its assistance to the Saudi Arab, without being pressurized by the west or the US. No body wants a NOC from the US, because they never asked for one from any other nation. They should first practice what they preach, and don't forget what they did in Iraq and Libya, for they were not equipped with nuclear technology.
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May 10, 2014 10:10am
@Ayesha
Actually, the US only gets 8% of its oil from the Middle-East. It produces a lot of its own oil and gets the rest from South America, Canada and Africa.
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May 10, 2014 02:09pm
@Ayesha You need to be better informed.
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May 10, 2014 05:21pm
You can't even fly a fighter jet, how the heck can you even dream of "nuclear technology?"
Should buy several " Off the shelf" from Russia, I'm sure its a "favourable time" just now as the US and Russia are not in a "cosy relationship anymore"
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May 11, 2014 07:17am
Getting nuclear know how and technology is fine. Every nation should be allowed to have access to that technology. Building a nuclear bomb should never be permitted. As a matter of fact, all the nations that currently have nuclear weapons, should get rid of them.
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May 11, 2014 05:26pm
Saudi's to at first, learn to manage their households without the help of a foreign maid/driver.
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May 11, 2014 08:12pm
@Ayesha
Bibi we are proud of you!
You wrote the truth that USA snatches free oil from these Arabs on one pretext or another. It produces its own but put it in Tank Farms and we hear that its stock pile can last for 5- years, so you can well imagine how much she had looted them.
We don't think hard enough about the fact that where ever there is a trouble in the world Muslims are involved; true they could be trouble makers but just think what would be otherwise?
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May 11, 2014 11:22pm
Saudis do not have the trained man power to absorb the technology.They have money and will settle for the finished product.Given their enormous hatred against shias and Iran,it may prove to a very dangerous toy in their hands.Potential donors should consider the consequences of a nuclear holocaust and fall out.
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May 12, 2014 12:36am
@SYED ZAFAR KAZMI
Well put it.
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May 12, 2014 12:54am
Hmmm, better watch out Iran. I say, let the fanatics have their toys. Then they can destroy each other, and the rest of the world can move on.
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