US thinks Pakistan using A-power fuel for weapons

Administration officials suspect Pakistan may have diverted fuel from its nuclear reactor for the production of atomic weapons, the New York Times reports. Quoting unnamed government sources, the Times says international atomic energy inspectors had requested improved safeguards for Pakistan's nuclear reactor after detecting "irregularities" at the plant, which is capable of producing plutonium for atomic weapons.

Congressional arms control and intelligence officials cited a high rate of failure of surveillance equipment and problems in accounting for spent fuel as reasons for suspecting that Pakistan was diverting fuel from the civilian reactor for military purposes.