Scientist: Pakistan Didn't Know of Leaks

From Little Green Footballs comes this link to a Yahoo/AP story: bq. The founder of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program claimed responsibility Wednesday for leaks of nuclear secrets he said were made behind the government's back, begging forgiveness in an extraordinary televised address to the nation. bq. Abdul Qadeer Khan's solemn speech followed days of negotiations with the government leading to an understanding that an apology would help him avoid a messy public prosecution, intelligence officials told The Associated Press. bq. The admission came amid widespread suspicion that the government, despite years of denials, played a role in Khan's sending nuclear technology to Libya and two countries that President Bush has called part of an "axis of evil" � Iran and North Korea. bq. "I have chosen to appear before you to offer my deepest regrets and unqualified apologies to a traumatized nation," Khan said, hours after meeting with President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to submit a plea for clemency. "I take full responsibility for my actions and seek your pardon." And the dominoes fall faster and faster still... The government (Gen. Pervez Musharraf) wants distance from the scandal and getting the key person to take ownership on television is an excellent way to do this. Now, Musharraf can open diplomatic channels with the Coalition and begin bringing Pakistan into modern times. The key beneficiary of this will be the Pakistani people - not now, not in five years but ten years down the road when their economy is flourishing.