Israel Matzav

Syria received nuclear weapons technology from A.Q. Khan

The Washington Times reports that U.S. intelligence agencies suspect that Syria was offered and received nuclear weapons technology from the covert Pakistani supplier group headed by A.Q. Khan.

An annual report to Congress on arms proliferation states that Pakistani investigators have confirmed IAEA reports that the Khan network "offered nuclear technology and hardware to Syria."

"We are concerned that expertise or technology could have been transferred," said the intelligence report, which is the first time the Bush administration has publicly linked Syria to Khan. "We continue to monitor Syrian nuclear intentions with concern."

Syria is a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and is required to submit to IAEA safeguards and inspections.

The report also said China is a "key supplier" of nuclear, missile and weapons of mass destruction goods to states of concern.

Read the whole thing.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:32 AM