Pakistan denies reports Saudis funded nuclear program

[Patriots]

Saudi Arabia has invested in Pakistani nuclear weapons projects, and believes it could obtain atomic bombs at will, a variety of sources have told BBC Newsnight.

While the kingdom's quest has often been set in the context of countering Iran's atomic programme, it is now possible that the Saudis might be able to deploy such devices more quickly than the Islamic republic.

Earlier this year, a senior Nato decision maker told me that he had seen intelligence reporting that nuclear weapons made in Pakistan on behalf of Saudi Arabia are now sitting ready for delivery.

Last month Amos Yadlin, a former head of Israeli military intelligence, told a conference in Sweden that if Iran got the bomb, "the Saudis will not wait one month. They already paid for the bomb, they will go to Pakistan and bring what they need to bring."

Since 2009, when King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia warned visiting US special envoy to the Middle East Dennis Ross that if Iran crossed the threshold, "we will get nuclear weapons", the kingdom has sent the Americans numerous signals of its intentions.

Gary Samore, until March 2013 President Barack Obama's counter-proliferation adviser, has told Newsnight:

"I do think that the Saudis believe that they have some understanding with Pakistan that, in extremis, they would have claim to acquire nuclear weapons from Pakistan."

The story of Saudi Arabia's project - including the acquisition of missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads over long ranges - goes back decades.

In the late 1980s they secretly bought dozens of CSS-2 ballistic missiles from China.

These rockets, considered by many experts too inaccurate for use as conventional weapons, were deployed 20 years ago.

This summer experts at defence publishersJane'sreported the completion of a new Saudi CSS-2 base with missile launch rails aligned with Israel and Iran.

It has also been clear for many years that Saudi Arabia has given generous financial assistance to Pakistan's defence sector, including, western experts allege, to its missile and nuclear labs.

Visits by the then Saudi defence minister Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al Saud to the Pakistani nuclear research centre in 1999 and 2002 underlined the closeness of the defence relationship.

BBC News - Saudi nuclear weapons 'on order' from Pakistan 
Pakistan denies reports Saudis funded nuclear program

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday strongly denied reports that Saudi Arabia funded the country’s nuclear weapons program calling the news item as “baseless, fake and provocative.”

Citing different sources,BBC Newsnighthad reportedthat Saudi Arabia can obtain atomic bombs from Pakistan 'at will.'

Speaking toBBC Urdu, Foreign Office Spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear power.

The country has a robust control system for its nuclear weapons and also had taken extensive protection measures for ensuring their security, the spokesman said.

He also said the country’s nuclear program is at par with the international standards and in compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Pakistan has been disposing off the west’s reservations regarding safety of the country’s nuclear assets, stressing that these were in safe hands.

Referring to his conversation with an unnamed Nato official earlier this year, diplomatic and defence editor of Newsnight Mark Urban said the official had seen such covert reports which point to a deal between Saudis and Pakistan.

According to those reports, he said, Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are ready to be delivered to Saudi Arabia.

A press conference by former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin was also highlighted in the report. Yadlin had told the media that Saudis will not even wait for a month in acquiring the atomic bomb in case Iran succeeds in making one. He said Pakistan had already been paid by the Saudis in that regard.

However, Gary Samore, former advisor to US President Barrack Obama on counter-proliferation, ruled out the notion, saying Pakistanis and Saudis did not have that kind of an understanding between them.

Riyadh has long had an interest in Islamabad’s nuclear programme. In 1999, then Saudi Defence Minister Prince Sultan was welcomed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the Kahuta plant, where Pakistan produces highly enriched uranium.

After being overthrown by the military later the same year, Sharif is now back again as prime minister – after spending years in exile in Saudi Arabia.

US officials had been suspicious of Saudi intent to gain nuclear warhead from Pakistan after it bought long-range CSS-2 ballistic missiles from China.

Pakistan denies reports Saudis funded nuclear program - DAWN.COM

 

[Norphisor]

Just tell them that you are under our protection from now on.

 

[faisal6309]

 

[Cheetah786]

Just tell them that you are under our protection from now on.

Why?

 

[agent_ali]

well, i don't think there is reality in such news... since Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state, and I also don't think that Saudis are fool enough to buy such weapons from Pakistan... i don't mean that Pakistan's weapons are of no worth, but what i am saying that Saudis will never bear sanctions to buy these weapons from Pakistan... they have had enough money that they will go to actual sellers of nuclear tech, i mean western countries and US itself

 

[nana41]

Saudi Arabia has invested in Pakistani nuclear weapons projects, and believes it could obtain atomic bombs at will, a variety of sources have told BBC Newsnight.

While the kingdom's quest has often been set in the context of countering Iran's atomic programme, it is now possible that the Saudis might be able to deploy such devices more quickly than the Islamic republic.

Earlier this year, a senior Nato decision maker told me that he had seen intelligence reporting that nuclear weapons made in Pakistan on behalf of Saudi Arabia are now sitting ready for delivery.

Last month Amos Yadlin, a former head of Israeli military intelligence, told a conference in Sweden that if Iran got the bomb, "the Saudis will not wait one month. They already paid for the bomb, they will go to Pakistan and bring what they need to bring."

Since 2009, when King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia warned visiting US special envoy to the Middle East Dennis Ross that if Iran crossed the threshold, "we will get nuclear weapons", the kingdom has sent the Americans numerous signals of its intentions.

Gary Samore, until March 2013 President Barack Obama's counter-proliferation adviser, has told Newsnight:

"I do think that the Saudis believe that they have some understanding with Pakistan that, in extremis, they would have claim to acquire nuclear weapons from Pakistan."

The story of Saudi Arabia's project - including the acquisition of missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads over long ranges - goes back decades.

In the late 1980s they secretly bought dozens of CSS-2 ballistic missiles from China.

These rockets, considered by many experts too inaccurate for use as conventional weapons, were deployed 20 years ago.

This summer experts at defence publishersJane'sreported the completion of a new Saudi CSS-2 base with missile launch rails aligned with Israel and Iran.

It has also been clear for many years that Saudi Arabia has given generous financial assistance to Pakistan's defence sector, including, western experts allege, to its missile and nuclear labs.

Visits by the then Saudi defence minister Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al Saud to the Pakistani nuclear research centre in 1999 and 2002 underlined the closeness of the defence relationship.

BBC News - Saudi nuclear weapons 'on order' from Pakistan 
Pakistan denies reports Saudis funded nuclear program

Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday strongly denied reports that Saudi Arabia funded the country’s nuclear weapons program calling the news item as “baseless, fake and provocative.”

Citing different sources,BBC Newsnighthad reportedthat Saudi Arabia can obtain atomic bombs from Pakistan 'at will.'

Speaking toBBC Urdu, Foreign Office Spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear power.

The country has a robust control system for its nuclear weapons and also had taken extensive protection measures for ensuring their security, the spokesman said.

He also said the country’s nuclear program is at par with the international standards and in compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Pakistan has been disposing off the west’s reservations regarding safety of the country’s nuclear assets, stressing that these were in safe hands.

Referring to his conversation with an unnamed Nato official earlier this year, diplomatic and defence editor of Newsnight Mark Urban said the official had seen such covert reports which point to a deal between Saudis and Pakistan.

According to those reports, he said, Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are ready to be delivered to Saudi Arabia.

A press conference by former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin was also highlighted in the report. Yadlin had told the media that Saudis will not even wait for a month in acquiring the atomic bomb in case Iran succeeds in making one. He said Pakistan had already been paid by the Saudis in that regard.

However, Gary Samore, former advisor to US President Barrack Obama on counter-proliferation, ruled out the notion, saying Pakistanis and Saudis did not have that kind of an understanding between them.

Riyadh has long had an interest in Islamabad’s nuclear programme. In 1999, then Saudi Defence Minister Prince Sultan was welcomed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the Kahuta plant, where Pakistan produces highly enriched uranium.

After being overthrown by the military later the same year, Sharif is now back again as prime minister – after spending years in exile in Saudi Arabia.

US officials had been suspicious of Saudi intent to gain nuclear warhead from Pakistan after it bought long-range CSS-2 ballistic missiles from China.

Pakistan denies reports Saudis funded nuclear program - DAWN.COM

 
I have learned from a friend ,who works for BBC[the most experienced propaganda machine] that Pakistan will supply neauclar weapons to saudi arabia once the delivery of such weapons to WALES is completed.

 

[EagleEyes]

 
I have learned from a friend ,who works for BBC[the most experienced propaganda machine] that Pakistan will supply neauclar weapons to saudi arabia once the delivery of such weapons to WALES is completed.

WALES? Can you tell us more?

In this age, transferring technology has now become impossible. Pakistan could have, would have, but not anymore.

 

[T90TankGuy]

Yes the Saudis probably funded the nuke research but never wanted one them selfs.But should Iran get a bomb , all bets are off . You can be sure the Saudis will get the bomb from Pakistan .

 

[muslim282]

Yes the Saudis probably funded the nuke research but never wanted one them selfs.But should Iran get a bomb , all bets are off . You can be sure the Saudis will get the bomb from Pakistan .

There was a saudi hand or should l say money in the program many years ago. As when the program was initiated (after 71 war, bhutto etc) pakistan was probably the only muslim nation that had the know how and scientific minds but not the cash.
Similarly the Zionist state of Israel was handed off the shelf bombs and plenty of dollars by uncle SAM and only later went on to develop their own program.
You are right to say if the iranians get a bomb "all bets are off". I think they are already off. I don,t see the iranians backing down or having come all this way for nothing, they will simply be trying to bide time. On the other hand, I believe secretly the saudis already have em.
Sadly the nuclear genie is out, whom summons it first is gonna be the question.

 

[nana41]

WALES? Can you tell us more?

In this age, transferring technology has now become impossible. Pakistan could have, would have, but not anymore.

CORRECTION;PAKISTAN WILL SUPPLY"NEAUCLAR"WEAPON TO HAITIE FIRST THEN WALES BEFORE S ARABIA,WHILE SCOTLAND HAS TO WAIT TILL THE REFERENDUM.

 

[Nishan_101]

I think Saudi Arabia hasn't provided anything and even our Nuclear Program hasn't even taken a lot of money... Like it has been completed in $500 Million in 10 years or so... Also A.Q Khan offered Nawaz Shariz to setup car plant in Pakistan with $200 Million instead of importing Taxis... But he refused it as well.

 

[Umair Nawaz]

since when did we started to take BBC and Israelis seriously?

Plus it quote an Israeli who Bomb itself came from foreign countries.
The France and US its not secret. The Jew money build bombs for them and when the Jews made their country they just brought a ready made N- Bomb.

This thread is really a joke.

 

[Informant]

As i said before, our hardwork, our rewards. And no supplying KSA is a suicide with Iran directly our neighbour. Though they arent friendly to us and more into with India ( the turbanator regime ). You dont want another enemy at your border.

 

[fatman17]

Analysts: Pakistan Unlikely To Transfer Nuclear Weapons, Know-how to Saudis

Nov. 11, 2013 -
By USMAN ANSARI

ISLAMABAD — Contrary to a Nov. 6 report by the BBC, analysts here do not believe Pakistan has an agreement to supply Saudi Arabia with nuclear weapons.

Citing a range of named and unnamed sources, the report, by Mark Urban, the diplomatic and defense editor for the BBC’s flagship “Newsnight” program, claimed Saudi Arabia could acquire nuclear weapons from Pakistan if Iran obtained a nuclear capability.

A spokesman for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the report was “entirely baseless and mischievous,” and that “Pakistan’s nuclear program is purely for its own legitimate self-defense.”
He highlighted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s US visit in October where “President Obama reiterated his confidence in Pakistan’s commitment and dedication to nuclear security and recognized that Pakistan is fully engaged with the international community on nuclear safety and security issues.”
Mark Fitzpatrick, director of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Programme at the International Institute of Strategic Studies, said there is an element of truth in the BBC report insofar as the Saudis believe their previous financial largesse (which some analysts say may have indirectly helped Pakistan’s nuclear program), gives them a “chit to cash in” for nuclear weapons.

Pakistan knows it “would suffer hugely” under US and other Western sanctions if it provided a nuclear weapon to the Saudis, and that even Pakistan’s close ally, China, would look on Islamabad as contributing to a Middle Eastern nuclear arms race.

The report also cited “rumors” of Pakistan transferring non-nuclear armed Shaheen ballistic missiles.
Fitzpatrick is dubious, however, and said even China would be unlikely to supply such missiles.

Similarly, Shashank Joshi, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said, “The US would react firmly” and “Pakistan would likely face severe sanctions, pressure from the UN Security Council, and further global isolation.”

He said “Saudi Arabia would be harder to sanction, given its importance in world oil markets, but it could face a cut-off of American aid and pressure from the US Congress.”

Speed is vital, he said.

“If Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were willing to bear these costs, and could conduct a transfer before US intelligence picked it up, then there is little that could be done to prevent it,” Joshi said.

“Missile transfer would be less controversial,” he said, but only marginally, as “the US has in the past firmly opposed Chinese transfers of ballistic missiles to Saudi Arabia. In the 1980s, when the US learned of those Chinese sales it forced Saudi Arabia to sign the NPT [Non-Proliferation Treaty] and cut military aid.”

Mansoor Ahmed from Quaid-e-Azam University’s Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, who specializes in Pakistan’s national deterrent and delivery program, said other factors discredit a supposed deal.

“Saudi Arabia is an NPT signatory state, which makes it illegal for it to seek, acquire or develop any nuclear weapon-related material, technology or capability from any country or party,” he said.

Pakistan would also not want to share its “privileged status” as “the only Muslim de-facto nuclear weapon state,” he added.

He highlights Pakistan’s aversion to taking sides in the Iranian-Saudi rivalry “which appears to have a Sunni versus Shiite bomb connotation.” Pakistan’s shared border with Iran and its large Shiite minority further prevent it from taking sides, he said.

Ahmed also questions the timing of the reports, “only days after the US-Saudi tensions over a possible thaw in the US-Iranian nuclear impasse and the fact that the US did not support Saudi expectations for an attack on the pro-Iranian Syrian regime of President Bashar-ul-Assad.”

Saudi anxieties over a nuclear Iran are likely to grow, but as an NPT state like Iran, “it can hypothetically only build latent nuclear capability allowed under the NPT that can provide it with the nuclear option, just like Iran is doing.”

This would be a lengthy and questionable tactic, however, as no Nuclear Supplier Group member would “go beyond giving Saudi Arabia nuclear power reactors plus the fuel for it.” And also given Iran’s example, they “would not share any fuel cycle technology, despite being under safeguards.”

Ahmed also highlights the NPT allows signatory states to “develop the full-spectrum of nuclear technology for peaceful uses — primarily nuclear energy, which includes the complete nuclear fuel cycle. ... But to go overtly nuclear, both Iran and Saudi Arabia would have to opt out of the NPT and in the process invite severe international repercussions.”

Saudi Arabia also lacks “the technological know-how, infrastructure, and most importantly, the trained manpower to execute an ambitious nuclear project,” he said, and this would push Saudi Arabia to “seek quick solutions to its security dilemma through extended deterrence, which only the United States might be able to offer.”

Ultimately, Ahmed said Pakistan likely would avoid any involvement in the Iranian-Saudi rivalry.
“As a state party, Pakistan has had an unblemished record of nuclear responsibility and it has adhered to international treaty obligations and commitments for over 40 years,” Ahmed said.

Therefore, “[Pakistan] would not want to earn more international opprobrium given the past history of the illicit and private proliferation network of A.Q. Khan. Also, since Saudi Arabia is an NPT state, it would be incumbent upon Pakistan not to provide assistance to Saudi Arabia.”