WASHINGTON, March 7 (UPI) -- Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's claim that she personally carried North Korean missile plans back to Pakistan raised concerns on Capitol Hill Monday.
United Press International reported Monday that Bhutto told a group of Pakistani journalists in Washington her country purchased plans for short- and medium-range missiles from North Korea for cash.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said Bhutto's disclosure demonstrated the need for stricter international controls on nuclear and missile technology. It also, he said, points up, "the profound implications for global security if and when rogue regimes like North Korea sell such blueprints or even nuclear devices to terrorist groups."
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., lambasted "both the arrogance and insanity of Pakistani leaders who wasted money pursuing rocket and nuclear technology, while their own people go hungry and are denied adequate healthcare and education."
"The more serious question," Rohrabacher asked, "is where did North Korea obtain the technology that was passed on to Pakistan?"
Bhutto told UPI scientists working on Pakistan's nuclear and missile programs in 1993 asked her to bring the plans for the missiles back from North Korea.
