Michelle Malkin » Swiss government destroys evidence against AQ Khan’s little elves

Swiss government destroys evidence against AQ Khan’s little elves

By see-dubya • May 27, 2008 10:42 AM

I’ve been following the wrapup of the AQ Khan case and his plans to sell nuclear technology to America’s enemies all over the world. It’s part of what I call the “international nuclear bazaar“, a shadowy underworld of Bond-villain crooks, spooks, and legit manufacturers who try to ship nuclear equipment across international blockades to bad guys who really, really don’t need it.

I look at these people as the modern equivalent of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, and they deserve every bit as much compassion as the Rosenbergs received. If you help get Iran or North Korea or Libya or Al-Qaeda get nuclear weapons, you should spend the rest of your life in jail. If you betray a government trust to do it, you should swing for treason.

This story in the Washington Examiner highlights a problem with this sort of case, though–sometimes the evidence itself is so sensitive that it can’t be examined at an ordinary trial:

Switzerland destroyed nuclear arms plans seized as evidence in a case linking a Swiss family to Libya’s now-abandoned atomic program. But President Pascal Couchepin stressed Friday it was to prevent them from falling into terrorists’ hands.

The documents formed part of a case against three members of the Tinner family who are suspected of involvement in the nuclear smuggling ring of Abdul Qadeer Khan, a key figure in Pakistan’s atomic weapons program. Khan has admitted selling nuclear arms technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

Khan’s network was worldwide–and the Tinners are a great example. A family of Swiss engineers who made atomic materials for Libya at a factory in Malaysia, they’re the worst sort of soulless traitors. It was mercenary greed at the worst and the world is a more dangerous place because of them. It was rogue scientists like the Tinners who helped Saddam build his own nuclear weapons program in the late 1980’s, and today’s tyrants and terrorists are still looking for the same technology.

I hate the idea that they may walk because this evidence was destroyed, but it had to be done.

_____________

{Post by See-Dubya}

Posted in: Homeland Security

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#1

On May 27th, 2008 at 10:49 am, undrseige247 said:

Benedict Arnold.
#2

On May 27th, 2008 at 10:51 am, sonofdy said:

Considering the swiss are still hiding stuff stolen from jews in germany during WWII, this does not suprise me.
#3

On May 27th, 2008 at 10:52 am, abstractmind said:

Switzerland destroyed nuclear arms plans seized as evidence in a case linking a Swiss family to Libya’s now-abandoned atomic program. But President Pascal Couchepin stressed Friday it was to prevent them from falling into terrorists’ hands.

Would it not be better to route out the terrorists, to prevent this, than to destroy the evidence?

Something doesn’t sit right with me on this one.

I have to disagree with you Michelle.

If you help get Iran or North Korea or Libya or Al-Qaeda get nuclear weapons, you should spend the rest of your life in jail. If you betray a government trust to do it, you should swing for treason.

I think anyone falling into this scope of activity should all receive a free government neck extension.

Otherwise, thanks for the article!
#4

On May 27th, 2008 at 10:52 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

I hate the idea that they may walk because this evidence was destroyed, but it had to be done.

I concur. I wouldn’t want that information to get into the hands of terrorists and/or the NY slimes…
#5

On May 27th, 2008 at 11:06 am, spo-con said:

I think these people will end up “deceased” just like the man that invented the super gun for Saddam some years back. That thing was huge, it was to be used against Israel. They’re days are probably numbered anyway.
#6

On May 27th, 2008 at 11:06 am, JHSII said:

30pcs #4

The nyt would put it on the front page, above the fold to make absolutely sure our enemies got it…
#7

On May 27th, 2008 at 11:17 am, sambo said:

The swiss have always played both sides for profit. I don’t know that that stand for anything.
#8

On May 27th, 2008 at 11:40 am, IndependentTom said:

While this article relates specifically to the transfer of nuclear technology it raises a question for me.

I used a link on Drudge to access an article in Rolliing Stone that reported on the transfer of cutting-edge surveillance technology to China by large U.S. corporations seeking to open up new markets.

“With the help of U.S. defense contrators, China is building the prototype for a high-tech police state. It is ready for export.”

I thought we had legislation to prevent this kind of thing.

Wouldn’t this also be “mercenary greed”?
#9

On May 27th, 2008 at 12:22 pm, brad_sk said:

This is one place where I really like Obama…I completely support his idea of invading Pakistan and blowing up A Q Khan or Osama or other cruel thugs ~~happily living~~ hiding there.

Not sure why Bush is full of favor to Pakistan and its ‘taliban’ regime.
#10

On May 27th, 2008 at 12:38 pm, DanME said:

From what I have read before, there is much more to this story involving the CIA.
I don’t think the Swiss are to blame. I believe they were asked to destroy this very sensitive info. We will likely never know the whole story. We should just let this story die.
#11

On May 27th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, txvet2 said:

The Swiss have gotten away with playing all sides of every conflict in Europe for centuries. They’re still laboring under the mistaken belief that they’ll be able to do it again when Islam buries the rest of European civilization.
#12

On May 27th, 2008 at 1:23 pm, AlohaGuy said:

If you help get Iran or North Korea or Libya or Al-Qaeda get nuclear weapons, you should spend the rest of your life ~~in jail.~~ with a bullet traversing your cranium.

Sorry, I have zero tolerance for this. It’s for Michelle Obama’s chldren.
#13

On May 27th, 2008 at 3:23 pm, SpeakEasy said:

brad_sk,

It certainly isn’t a love of Pakistan that keeps us watching at the moment. You may have heard of military action in both Iraq and Afghanistan? Whether you think we should be there or not, we are. We simply can’t open up another front unless we go all out ala WWIII. I certainly share your concern but have absolutely NO confidence Obama would actually flex any military might other than a Bill Clintinesque random cruise missile.

If you really want to help out you could join the military. Just sayin’.
#14

On May 28th, 2008 at 7:09 am, DanME said:

I wonder how many of you people have ever been to Switzerland. You really don’t have a clue !!! I’ve been there many, many times and have a number of good friends there. Switzerland is one of the best countries in the world. Besides the beautiful scenery, the people are very friendly, hard working, and very productive. Switzerland is not a member of the EU and out produces them. Switzerland is an independent, peaceful place. Are they perfect, but neither are we.
#15

On May 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am, corona said:

“traitors” to what?
#16

On May 28th, 2008 at 9:19 am, BrianNY said:

#14 Dan said:

I wonder how many of you people have ever been to Switzerland. You really don’t have a clue !!!

I don’t have to go to Switzerland to realize that they are insistent on bombarding my senses and adulterating my culture with their hot cocoa and mini marshmellows, their Toblerone cavity sticks, their cuckoo clocks and now with their nuclear proliferation indifferences.

Eurotrash.