U.S. wants more info on Pakistan's nuclear arsenal
Despite assurances, U.S. officials demand better information
By Sheldon Alberts, Canwest News ServiceMay 5, 2009
President Barack Obama will raise growing U.S. concerns about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arms arsenal during meetings at the White House this week with the country's president, Asif Ali Zardari, officials said Monday.
Despite public assurances from the Pentagon that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are secure from Taliban and al-Qaida fighters, U.S. officials are demanding better information about the measures Islamabad's weakened government is taking to prevent any from falling into the hands of Islamic extremists.
"Obviously the security of nuclear weapons in Pakistan and the security of nuclear material throughout the world is something that the president thinks is of the highest priority," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in advance of a trilateral meeting Wednesday between Obama, Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
"I don't doubt that that will be mentioned."
Concerns about the vulnerability of Pakistan's nuclear weapons and facilities have mounted in recent months as Taliban and al-Qaida insurgents gained control over the country's remote northwestern Swat Valley region.
But the scrutiny over Pakistan's control of its nuclear arsenal heightened markedly after Taliban forces last month began showing signs of authority in the Buner district, just 100 kilometres from Islamabad, where most of the nuclear weapons are located.
"I'm gravely concerned about the progress they (the Taliban) have made in the south and inside Pakistan," Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, told reporters Monday. "The consequences of their success directly threaten our national interests in the region and our safety here at home."
Mullen, who visited the region last month, stressed he remains "comfortable that the nuclear weapons in Pakistan are secure."
But the Obama administration is privately expressing frustration over the unwillingness of Pakistan's government to provide details about the location of the arsenal and the specific security measures the nation's army is taking, according to a report in Monday's New York Times.
In particular, the Obama administration is seeking accountability from Pakistan's government over how it spent $100 million in U.S. funding -- approved under former President George W. Bush when Pervez Musharraf was still in power -- to improve physical facilities holding nuclear material and warheads.
U.S. officials have been denied information on how the money was spent or how many weapons Pakistan has in its arsenal, the Times reported. It's generally believed Pakistan has about 60 warheads, though some experts believe the number exceeds 100.
Bush provided unwavering support and financial resources to Musharraf following the 9/11 terror attacks but received "no accountability" in return, said Gibbs.
"I think on both of those accounts, the president (Obama) has been clear that that hasn't worked."
Pakistan's army has a force of 10,000 soldiers specifically tasked with guarding the nation's nuclear facilities and weaponry.
In addition, much of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is stored in pieces at separate facilities to further guard against an attack and seizure.
Despite assurances, U.S. officials demand better information
By Sheldon Alberts, Canwest News ServiceMay 5, 2009
President Barack Obama will raise growing U.S. concerns about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arms arsenal during meetings at the White House this week with the country's president, Asif Ali Zardari, officials said Monday.
Despite public assurances from the Pentagon that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are secure from Taliban and al-Qaida fighters, U.S. officials are demanding better information about the measures Islamabad's weakened government is taking to prevent any from falling into the hands of Islamic extremists.
"Obviously the security of nuclear weapons in Pakistan and the security of nuclear material throughout the world is something that the president thinks is of the highest priority," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in advance of a trilateral meeting Wednesday between Obama, Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
"I don't doubt that that will be mentioned."
Concerns about the vulnerability of Pakistan's nuclear weapons and facilities have mounted in recent months as Taliban and al-Qaida insurgents gained control over the country's remote northwestern Swat Valley region.
But the scrutiny over Pakistan's control of its nuclear arsenal heightened markedly after Taliban forces last month began showing signs of authority in the Buner district, just 100 kilometres from Islamabad, where most of the nuclear weapons are located.
"I'm gravely concerned about the progress they (the Taliban) have made in the south and inside Pakistan," Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, told reporters Monday. "The consequences of their success directly threaten our national interests in the region and our safety here at home."
Mullen, who visited the region last month, stressed he remains "comfortable that the nuclear weapons in Pakistan are secure."
But the Obama administration is privately expressing frustration over the unwillingness of Pakistan's government to provide details about the location of the arsenal and the specific security measures the nation's army is taking, according to a report in Monday's New York Times.
In particular, the Obama administration is seeking accountability from Pakistan's government over how it spent $100 million in U.S. funding -- approved under former President George W. Bush when Pervez Musharraf was still in power -- to improve physical facilities holding nuclear material and warheads.
U.S. officials have been denied information on how the money was spent or how many weapons Pakistan has in its arsenal, the Times reported. It's generally believed Pakistan has about 60 warheads, though some experts believe the number exceeds 100.
Bush provided unwavering support and financial resources to Musharraf following the 9/11 terror attacks but received "no accountability" in return, said Gibbs.
"I think on both of those accounts, the president (Obama) has been clear that that hasn't worked."
Pakistan's army has a force of 10,000 soldiers specifically tasked with guarding the nation's nuclear facilities and weaponry.
In addition, much of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is stored in pieces at separate facilities to further guard against an attack and seizure.
