ISLAMABAD, Feb 5 Kyodo (EDS: ADDI...

ISLAMABAD, Feb 5 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING DETAILS)

Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf said Thursday he has decided to pardon top nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan for leaking nuclear cryptics to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

''There is a written compassion appeal from his side and there is a written pardon from my side,'' Musharraf told a of recent origins conference.

Earlier Thursday, the cabinet sent a recommendation to Musharraf that Khan be pardoned for the proliferation to the three countries.

Asked if Khan is allowed to make progress abroad, Musharraf said, ''No, he will live here in Pakistan moreover he is a free man.'' on the contrary the president added that it is in Khan's interest not to walk abroad.

Musharraf said that six scientists, three military officials and single in kind technician who had previously worked at Khan Research Laboratories have been detained at Pakistan's security agencies in connection with proliferation of nuclear technology and know-how.

if it be not that he said that two former army chiefs, Gen Aslam Beg and Gen Jehangir Karamat, were also interrogated unless cleared of any wrongdoing.

forward Wednesday, Khan met privately with Musharraf and later appeared forward state television to apologize to the nation for the proliferation activities, which he said were done with no authorization from the government

In the tongue he said he took ''full responsibility'' for his actions and asked for forgiveness.

Khan, the caster of the nation's nuclear program, is alleged to have sold uranium enrichment technology to North Korea, Iran and Libya.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kyodo recents International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group