Harman: US should be able to question AQ Khan

Jane Harman has an op/ed today in the conservative Washington Times. She details the history of A.Q. Khan, the scientist who brought nuclear weapons to Pakistan, and who has been under house arrest since 2004 for selling nuclear secrets to rogue states. The Pakistani Supreme Court recently ruled that Khan should be released.

Harman calls on the Pakistani government to appeal that decision:

The Obama administration should promptly seek Pakistani permission to question Mr. Khan, and Pakistan should agree to appeal the Supreme Court decision and perhaps to undo the Musharraf pardon. The U.S. Congress can condition further aid to Pakistan on those events.

But, hopefully, appropriate Pakistani officials worry as we do that their civilians could become nuclear targets - as could NATO soldiers in neighboring Afghanistan or civilians in any number of Western countries. Questioning Mr. Khan and learning all the details of his past and present activities is crucial.

Here is a Feb. 10 statement from Robert Wood, a State Department spokesman, on this issue:

Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg met with Foreign Minister Qureshi in Munich and expressed the U.S. government's deep concern at the decision to release A.Q. Khan. He sought assurances that the Pakistani government would take every step available to ensure that Mr. Khan did not pose a proliferation risk.