US Pledges Aid to Pakistan Despite Nuclear Secrets Scandal

As President George W. Bush hosted Pakistani General Pervez Musharraf at Camp David last June, he hailed him as a "visionary" and praised his role in the US war against Islamist militants. The US promised dollars 3 billion in aid, half of which would go to the Pakistani military. Despite the recent confession of Abdul Qadeer Khan, the "father of the bomb," to providing nuclear secrets to North Korea, Iran, and Libya, the Bush administration remains committed to its close relationship with Gen. Musharraf. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice defended Gen. Musharraf, stating that he had given the US the opportunity to "wrap up and destroy" a network of nuclear entrepreneurs. She added that President Bush was not in a position to endorse Pakistan's decision to pardon the scientist. The US is now proposing new measures to tighten the nuclear regime, including cracking down on the black market and imposing tougher restrictions on legal nuclear supplies.

Key Takeaways:

• The US has pledged dollars 3 billion in aid to Pakistan, with half going to the military, despite the nuclear secrets scandal.
• General Pervez Musharraf has been hailed by President George W. Bush as a "visionary" and a key partner in the US war against Islamist militants.
• Condoleezza Rice, the national security adviser, has defended Gen. Musharraf's actions, stating that he has given the US the opportunity to tackle a network of nuclear entrepreneurs.
• The US is proposing new measures to tighten the nuclear regime, including cracking down on the black market and imposing tougher restrictions on legal nuclear supplies.
• The Bush administration is facing questions about the legality of the aid package for Pakistan, with some officials suggesting that a waiver may be needed to circumvent existing sanctions legislation.
• Former officials and analysts believe that the Pakistani military establishment was likely involved in nuclear deals with North Korea, but express concern that punishing Pakistan could lead to instability.

Statistics:

• $3 billion: the amount of aid pledged by the US to Pakistan.
• 50%: the proportion of the aid package going to the Pakistani military.
• 3: the number of countries to which Abdul Qadeer Khan, the "father of the bomb," confessed to providing nuclear secrets.
• 2005: the year in which the aid package for Pakistan is expected to start spending.

Sources:

• Washington, DC: NBC's Today programme.
• Condoleezza Rice, US National Security Adviser.
• Ilan Berman, American Foreign Policy Council, a Washington think-tank.