Thursday, March 30, 2006 12:00 a.m. EST
German Media: Saudis Going Nuclear
"The German magazine Cicero is reporting that Saudi Arabia is working on its own nuclear program with help from Pakistan, a country that already has nuclear weaponry.
Citing Western security sources, Cicero claims Pakistani scientists traveled to Mecca posed as Muslim pilgrims from 2003 to 2005. German security expert Udo Ulfkottee told the magazine that the scientists clandestinely left their pilgrimages for as long as three weeks between October 2004 and January 2005 to help Saudis with nuclear technology.
The magazine claimed satellite images show the Saudi program has been set up in Al-Sulaiyil, a secret underground city south of Riyadh.
Unnamed Western sources told the magazine that Pakistani-Saudi cooperation on nuclear activities was nothing new. U.S. military analyst John Pike said Pakistan’s nuclear weapons include Saudi bar codes "because it is Saudi Arabia which ultimately co-financed the Pakistani atomic nuclear program.”
The Washington Times reported in October 2003 that the countries had finalized a secret agreement on "nuclear co-operation.”
Citing an unnamed Pakistani source, the Times claimed Saudi Arabia was to receive nuclear weapons technology. Pakistan was to receive cheap oil. Both countries deny the existence of such an agreement."
The rumors have been around for quite some time (GlobalSecurity.org has some good insight), but I suspect similar nuclear aspirations in Tehran may now have added impetus to any Saudi nuclear weapons development.
The scenarios and questions in regards to this subject are numerous. For one, I am wondering how this could further effect US-Saudi relations? What is the likelyhood for an intensification of the regional arms race already underway the Gulf - and perhaps even more important, how will Israel respond to the potential of a WMD-armed Riyadh?
From a more technical perspective, I wonder if Saudi will rely on its aged CSS-2 IRBMs to deliver the potential nuclear arsenal? Or are other options available - are for instance more advanced Pakistani or Chinese missile systems an option, even given ballistic missile treaty obligations?
I am not an expert on nuclear matters, but I am pretty certain Saudi does not have any nuclear reactors either - if someone could confirm that, I would be grateful.
I look forward to hearing anyone's opinions.
German Media: Saudis Going Nuclear
"The German magazine Cicero is reporting that Saudi Arabia is working on its own nuclear program with help from Pakistan, a country that already has nuclear weaponry.
Citing Western security sources, Cicero claims Pakistani scientists traveled to Mecca posed as Muslim pilgrims from 2003 to 2005. German security expert Udo Ulfkottee told the magazine that the scientists clandestinely left their pilgrimages for as long as three weeks between October 2004 and January 2005 to help Saudis with nuclear technology.
The magazine claimed satellite images show the Saudi program has been set up in Al-Sulaiyil, a secret underground city south of Riyadh.
Unnamed Western sources told the magazine that Pakistani-Saudi cooperation on nuclear activities was nothing new. U.S. military analyst John Pike said Pakistan’s nuclear weapons include Saudi bar codes "because it is Saudi Arabia which ultimately co-financed the Pakistani atomic nuclear program.”
The Washington Times reported in October 2003 that the countries had finalized a secret agreement on "nuclear co-operation.”
Citing an unnamed Pakistani source, the Times claimed Saudi Arabia was to receive nuclear weapons technology. Pakistan was to receive cheap oil. Both countries deny the existence of such an agreement."
The rumors have been around for quite some time (GlobalSecurity.org has some good insight), but I suspect similar nuclear aspirations in Tehran may now have added impetus to any Saudi nuclear weapons development.
The scenarios and questions in regards to this subject are numerous. For one, I am wondering how this could further effect US-Saudi relations? What is the likelyhood for an intensification of the regional arms race already underway the Gulf - and perhaps even more important, how will Israel respond to the potential of a WMD-armed Riyadh?
From a more technical perspective, I wonder if Saudi will rely on its aged CSS-2 IRBMs to deliver the potential nuclear arsenal? Or are other options available - are for instance more advanced Pakistani or Chinese missile systems an option, even given ballistic missile treaty obligations?
I am not an expert on nuclear matters, but I am pretty certain Saudi does not have any nuclear reactors either - if someone could confirm that, I would be grateful.
I look forward to hearing anyone's opinions.
I think.