Agence France Presse

Islamabad, January 25

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has said some individuals were involved in nuclear proliferation, as a probe continues into alleged leaks of nuclear secrets to Iran and Libya, an official report said today.

"It was some individuals who for personal gains were involved in some sort of proliferation," Musharraf told the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

It is "very sad that any person leaves aside his national interests for some personal gains," he told the state news agency after talks with US Vice-President Dick Cheney in Davos yesterday.

Government officials here last week said investigations were continuing and that no conclusion had yet been made.

Pakistani authorities are questioning at least eight scientists and administrators of the key uranium enrichment facility Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in connection with the probe. The government has said it will take stern action against anyone found guilty of proliferation.

The investigation started after the government received a letter in November from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which named some individuals suspected of transferring nuclear know-how to Iran and Libya.

After hour-long talks with the US vice president, Musharraf said he was happy that the United States "fully understood" that his government was not involved in proliferation, APP said. "We are investigating and they (the US) are very satisfied over it," he said.

Officials here said investigators were questioning the detained scientists and officials were looking into "financial aspects."

"The ongoing investigations are vigorous and comprehensive. They are looking into all dimensions, including financial aspects," foreign office spokesman Masood Khan told AFP. Local daily The News today said that at least two unnamed nuclear scientists deposited proceeds from the alleged transfer of secrets to Iran in foreign accounts in Dubai.