Pakistan holds 2 nuclear scientists

Two Pakistani nuclear scientists have admitted to having discussed nuclear weapon production with Osama bin Laden, according to Pakistani intelligence sources.

The two men are being held by Pakistani authorities and may face charges of violating secrets laws, the sources told the Washington Post.

Both men claim that their discussions with bin Laden in Kabul in August were "academic" but have said that the al-Qaeda leader indicated he had obtained radiological material from Uzbek sources. They claim that the material is not capable of being turned into weapons but that bin Laden expressed considerable interest in biological and nuclear weapons.

The reported admissions by Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, who held key appointments in each of Pakistan's three most important nuclear facilities, and his associate, Dr Abdul Majid, represent a turnabout from their earlier claims that they met bin Laden only to discuss their charitable work in Afghanistan. They had used the work as a cover for their visit to Kabul.

Pakistani officials said Sultan Mahmood - who had experience in uranium enrichment and plutonium production, but was not involved in bomb building - had neither the knowledge nor the experience to assist in the construction of any type of nuclear weapon. The scientists were not believed to be experts in chemical or biological weaponry.

Pakistani intelligence has kept the CIA closely informed of all developments in the two men's interrogation. Though neither US nor Pakistani officials say they have evidence that bin Laden has obtained any such material, intelligence agencies for both countries have indicated they believe he has sought it.