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CLASSIFIED BY: SCA Richard A. Boucher, Reasons: 1.4 B C AND D Oct 4, 2008
Washington is concerned that the government of Pakistan may release A.Q. Khan. Washington requests Post to please draw from points in para 4, as appropriate, with senior government officials including the Director General of Strategic Plans Division Lt. Gen (retd) Kidwai.Objectives:
Post should achieve the following objectives:
Inquire about the accuracy of press reports indicating that Dr Khan will soon be released from house arrest.
Express Washington's strong opposition to the release of Dr Khan and urge the Government of Pakistan to continue holding him under house arrest.
Explain the possible negative consequences that the release of Dr Khan will have on Pakistan's image in the international community. Note that it would undermine the positive steps Pakistan has taken on nonproliferation.
Urge Pakistan to consider the long-term gains it could garner from the international community by continuing Dr Khan's current status rather than the short-term domestic political gains that could result from his release.
Recent press reports indicate a plan for Dr Khan's release was approved for delivery to Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. We should determine the accuracy of the reports and clearly indicate to the new government, as well as Director General Kidwai, our strong opposition to Khan's release. Dr Khan was the central figure in the most egregious violation of nonproliferation norms to date and his release would likely indicate to the international community a disregard by Pakistan for the dire threat still posed to international security by Dr Khan's activities. It could also undermine ongoing prosecution efforts underway in other countries to punish Khan associates and would be a setback to our ongoing bilateral nonproliferation efforts with Pakistan. Tell Pakistan…
Pakistan has taken positive steps over the past few years to demonstrate its commitment to nonproliferation, including enacting its 2004 export control law, establishing the Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV), and joining the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism.
We are deeply troubled by press reports that Pakistan may consider releasing Dr Khan. We hope that these press reports are not accurate.
We urge you not to change Dr. Khan's current status. While the release of Dr Khan would be viewed positively by some in Pakistan, it would undermine Pakistan's broader nonproliferation efforts and signal to the international community that Pakistan is no longer concerned about the harm caused by Dr Khan and his network.
When Dr Khan was pardoned by President Musharraf, Pakistan was widely criticised in the international community for not having prosecuted him or anyone else associated with his proliferation activities.
The damage done to international security by Dr Khan and his associates is not a closed book. Other countries continue efforts to prosecute those involved. The US, and other countries, as well as the IAEA, are expending enormous amounts of time and resources to address the threats that resulted from Dr Khan's engagement with Iran, North Korea, and possibly other states.
Because of Khan's actions, the international community must contend with the reality that the uranium enrichment technology and nuclear weapons designs that were sold to Libya are now available to other states and non-state actors. This will make it much harder to combat nuclear proliferation in the future.
The US and Pakistan have worked together to address the problems caused by Dr Khan's proliferation to other countries and we look forward to our continued close cooperation on this and other related issues.
