WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday took up with top Pakistani leadership the release of disgraced nuclear scientist AQ Khan from nearly five
years of house arrest.
US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, who is currently on a visit to Islamabad, certainly raised the issue (of AQ Khan), state department spokesperson Robert Wood said here.
The US expressed deep concern over the release of AQ Khan from house arrest and said he continues to be a serious threat to proliferation of nuclear weapons technology, he said.
Last month, the US had slapped sanctions against AQ Khan and his network, for alleged involvement in the proliferation of nuclear technologies to countries like North Korea, Iran and Libya.
Wood said Pakistan has given the assurance that it would ensure Khan does not involve in such activities after his release from house arrest.
But remaining skeptical of the assurances, Wood said: "We'll have to see how things go. We certainly don't want to see that black market up and operating. We'll continue to follow the issue very closely."
Meanwhile, Wood said Holbrooke would continue with the remaining part of his trip to the region, despite the latest suicidal bombing attack in Kabul by the Taliban.
Source; http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/US_again_raises_AQ_Khan_issue_with_Pakistan/articleshow/4115212.cms?TOI_latestnews
years of house arrest.
US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, who is currently on a visit to Islamabad, certainly raised the issue (of AQ Khan), state department spokesperson Robert Wood said here.
The US expressed deep concern over the release of AQ Khan from house arrest and said he continues to be a serious threat to proliferation of nuclear weapons technology, he said.
Last month, the US had slapped sanctions against AQ Khan and his network, for alleged involvement in the proliferation of nuclear technologies to countries like North Korea, Iran and Libya.
Wood said Pakistan has given the assurance that it would ensure Khan does not involve in such activities after his release from house arrest.
But remaining skeptical of the assurances, Wood said: "We'll have to see how things go. We certainly don't want to see that black market up and operating. We'll continue to follow the issue very closely."
Meanwhile, Wood said Holbrooke would continue with the remaining part of his trip to the region, despite the latest suicidal bombing attack in Kabul by the Taliban.
Source; http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/US_again_raises_AQ_Khan_issue_with_Pakistan/articleshow/4115212.cms?TOI_latestnews
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