IN THE NEWS - Pakistani Nuclear Scientist Pardoned

IN THE NEWS - Pakistani Nuclear Scientist Pardoned
By Cynthia Kirk

Broadcast: Saturday, February 07, 2004

 
Abdul Qadeer Khan
This is Steve Ember with In the News, in VOA Special English.

Debate continues in Pakistan over the decision to pardon nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. Mister Khan admitted Wednesday that he sold nuclear technology to North Korea, Libya and Iran. He spoke¹ on national television.

On Thurday, President Pervez Musharraf pardoned Mister Khan with support from the cabinet. And on Friday Islamic opposition² parties held demonstrations³ in several cities in support of the scientist. But other opposition parties demanded a parliamentary investigation⁴.

Mister Khan is considered a national hero. He is known as the father of the Pakistani nuclear weapons program.

In his statement, Mister Khan accepted full responsibility for spreading weapons technology to other countries. He said he acted alone, without government knowledge. He apologized and asked forgiveness. Mister Khan had met earlier Wednesday with Mister Musharraf to request a pardon.

Critics say Mister Khan could not have sold nuclear secrets without the knowledge of military officials. General Musharraf denies that. He says he pardoned Mister Khan because the scientist has done much for national security. The president says Pakistan now has controls to stop the spread of nuclear technology.

Pakistani officials carried out a two-month investigation. They had received evidence late last year from the International Atomic Energy Agency, part of the United Nations. The evidence showed that Pakistani scientists had provided technology to Iran that could be used to make nuclear bombs. The evidence was based on statements made by Iran to the U-N agency.

In addition, Pakistan heard American concerns that North Korea had gotten help from Pakistani scientists. Finally, Libya's leader admitted in December that his country had a nuclear weapons program.

Mister Khan has said he acted out of a desire to remove Western attention from the Pakistani nuclear program. But President Musharraf says the scientist did it for money. Pakistani officials say Mister Khan received millions of dollars over a period of years. They say he bought homes in Pakistan and other countries and put money into foreign banks.

Two weeks ago, the Pakistani government had promised to take legal action against anyone caught selling nuclear secrets. Several scientists and other officials have been under investigation. But religious groups strongly opposed punishment for Mister Khan.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says the problem does not end with Mister Khan. But President Musharraf says he will not permit international supervision⁵ of the Pakistani nuclear program.

The United States said it would not judge the decision to pardon Mister Khan. It said what is more important is to make sure no more nuclear secrets leave Pakistan.

In the News, in VOA Special English, was written by Cynthia Kirk. This is Steve Ember.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

5 supervision   

n.监督，管理

参考例句：

• The work was done under my supervision.这项工作是在我的监督之下完成的。
• The old man's will was executed under the personal supervision of the lawyer.老人的遗嘱是在律师的亲自监督下执行的。