U.S. regrets release of scientist who provided nuke technology to N. Korea

By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- The United States Friday lamented the reported
release of the Pakistani scientist who has been under house arrest for years for
his role in providing nuclear technology to North Korea and other countries.

"We believe A.Q. Khan remains a serious proliferation risk," State Department
deputy spokesman Gordon K. Duguid said in a daily news briefing. "The
proliferation support that Khan and his associates provided to Iran and North
Korea has had a harmful impact on the international -- on international security,
and will for years to come."
Responding to reports that a Pakistani court recently ordered Khan's release, the
spokesman said, "There has been no government confirmation of this decision that
I am aware of," adding, "We have seen that Mr. Khan's defense lawyer has
announced a court decision, and that this announcement came late on a Friday in
Islamabad, which of course is the Sabbath."
"But on the general principle of A.Q. Khan and his status, let me say that in our
view it would be unfortunate if the court released him," he said.
In announcing last month the list of 13 individuals and private firms to be
sanctioned for their involvement in the Khan network, the State Department said
that Khan provided centrifuge designs, equipment and technology to North Korea to
help the North build a uranium program.
The North's uranium program grew out of a "one stop shopping" source provided by
Khan, the department said.
Khan has been under house arrest since 2004, when he confessed to secret dealings
with North Korea and several other countries, but he recently disavowed his
previous remarks.
Former President George W. Bush said at his final news conference last month that
"there might be a highly enriched uranium program" in North Korea.
Bush was apparently addressing the criticism that he made too many concessions to
North Korea in his final months by ignoring the alleged uranium program and
suspected nuclear proliferation to Syria in lifting North Korea from a U.S.
terrorism list.
The uranium issue in 2002 broke up the 1994 Agreed Framework between the U.S. and
North Korea for freezing of North Korea's plutonium-producing reactor in return
for energy aid, construction of two light-water reactors and political benefits.
The six-party talks began in 2003 to address the North's nuclear ambitions, but
focused on the plutonium program.
hdh@yna.co.kr