[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

If we were truly interested in doing the right thing in Iraq, rather than settling a score from the President's father's administration, I would be more accepting of this argument. Where is the President's cry to "do the right thing" in Pakistan, a nation ruled by a military dictator who overthrew the democratically elected government, and which we now know has been selling nuclear technology to anyone who is interested? Seems to me they're looking pretty similar to the imaginary nation whose aggressive WMD programs and desire to spread such technology around had the word Iraq painted over it by the administrations spin doctors in the leadup to the war.

hxxp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,110673,00.html

What they are hoping, according to American officials speaking on condition of anonymity, is that Khan's pardon becomes a plea bargain of sorts, with Pakistan trading leniency in exchange for Khan's information about the still-at-large members of the worldwide nuclear black market.

"We could beat our chests and be outraged," said Robert Oakley, a former ambassador to Pakistan who defended the Bush administration's low key response.

"The most important thing is to get as much information possible as to where the links (to accomplices) were," Oakley said. "We have to make sure it doesn't happen again."

More than anything, the U.S. response shows just how solicitous American officials remain toward Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf (search), that they're leery of any public criticism lest it destabilize this key ally in the war on terrorism.

Any push by Musharraf for a trial of Khan could have led to a political showdown with Islamist and opposition groups who regard the scientist as a hero for founding Pakistan's nuclear weapons program.