Report: Saudis seek nuclear weapons

[Mrs. Sharon B. Hodge]

Report: Saudis seek nuclear weapons

CLOSE [X] Saudi Arabia has sought Pakistan's help as part of its long-term plan to attain nuclear weapons for regional dominance, says a report.


"Reports have circulated for years that the Saudis have pursued a secret nuclear program with help from Pakistan, though the Saudis deny this," said a Wall Street Journal article titled 'A Middle East Arms Race'.


For years now, media outlets have alleged th More..at Saudi officials are interested in nuclear proliferation, citing comments by former Saudi diplomat Mohammed Khilewi -- who defected to the US in 1994.


Khilewi reportedly handed over documents to US officials, which revealed that the Saudi government was interested in nuclear proliferation.


According to the diplomat, who now lives undercover in the New York City area, Saudi officials have had a covert nuclear weapons research effort since 1975.


Khilewi says Saudi Arabia wants bombs to counter the threat posed by Israel -- which already has Arab territory under occupation.


An article published by The Guardian in 2003, made similar claims, suggesting that Riyadh was considering nuclear proliferation. According to the article, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were engaged in secret nuclear cooperation.


A 2006 report printed by a British global business magazine, also alleged that Saudi Arabia had financed the Pakistani nuclear drive.


"Western intelligence services are now convinced that Saudi Arabia played a large role in financing Pakistan's nuclear bomb project. Riyadh's aim was to guarantee it immediate access to a nuclear arsenal… British Intelligence (MI6) already regards Saudi Arabia as a surrogate nuclear power, able to join the club whenever it chooses," reported The Business.


The Wall Street Journal report comes as the global economic crisis continues to plague Pakistan.


According to October comments by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, the country is in desperate need of a $100 billion bailout from the international community to survive the financial crisis and fight terrorism at the same time.


MJ/AA/DT