Nukes for Everyone!!!
If true...
KIEV, Ukraine -- A senior lawmaker on Wednesday called for Ukraine's prosecutor-general to investigate alleged sales of nuclear-capable cruise missiles to Iran and China in violation of international nonproliferation treaties.And taken in consideration with Ali Agha Mohammadi’s comments regarding Iran’s nuclear program and their unwillingness to give it up.The appeal, by Hrihory Omelchenko, follows allegations he made in a letter to new President Viktor Yushchenko. Omelchenko is a parliament member allied with Prime Minister-designate Yulia Tymoshenko and is a reserve colonel in Ukraine's intelligence service.
Yushchenko, who succeeded Leonid Kuchma, has promised a thorough investigation of corruption and misdeeds that allegedly flourished during his predecessor's 10 years as president. Kuchma allegedly sanctioned the sale of sophisticated radar systems to Iraq in 2002, contravening U.N. sanctions.
"I want him to begin his mandate with a clean record," Omelchenko said of Yushchenko.
In his letter to Yushchenko, Omelchenko said an investigation launched last summer "proved that some 20 air-launched Kh-55 and Kh-55M cruise missiles with nuclear capability were exported to third countries" in contravention of international treaties.
"Six missiles destined for Russia ended up in Iran ... six missiles destined for Russia ended up in China" the letter said. It said the sales occurred in 2000-01.
Vyacheslav Astapov, a spokesman for Ukraine's prosecutor-general, said the office began an investigation into the alleged sales last summer and "this year, we received new information."
Astapov also said a top-ranking Iranian diplomat in Ukraine met with Prosecutor-General Svyatoslav Piskun, but he did not elaborate. [source: Seatle Post-Intelligencer, HT: TBTN]
Not good news.
UPDATE: Financial Times - Europe has coverage as well.
