Two Pakistani scientists who formerly worked in Pakistan’s nuclear program allegedly told investigators that they discussed nuclear, chemical and biological weapons with suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden in August in Kabul, according to Pakistani officials.  The officials said authorities have detained Sultan Bashiru-din Mehmood and Chaudry Abdul Majid since Oct. 23 and questioned them about their links to the Taliban and al-Qaeda (see GSN, Oct. 26).

Pakistani authorities said they believe that Mehmood and Majid used their nongovernmental organization, Ummah Tameer-e-Nau, as a cover for meeting bin Laden (see GSN, Nov. 28).  The scientists said bin Laden indicated he possessed or had access to radiological material, but the material was not sufficient to manufacture a weapon (see GSN, Dec. 5).  Mehmood had experience in uranium enrichment and plutonium production but lacked the knowledge needed to construct a nuclear weapon, according to Pakistani officials.

The scientists’ alleged admissions contradicted their earlier claims that they had only discussed charitable activities with leaders in Afghanistan (see GSN, Nov. 5).  After investigators showed the scientists evidence linking them to bin Laden, the scientists said they had discussed such weapons with bin Laden, Pakistani authorities said.

Authorities have kept secret the location and methods of the interrogations, according to the Washington Post.  They have not charged either scientist with a crime but were considering trying them for violating a national official secrets act (Khan/Moore, Washington Post, Dec. 12).

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