CIA used Swiss to thwart foreign nuclear programs: report

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US Central Intelligence Agency recruited a family of Swiss engineers to help it thwart the Libyan and Iranian nuclear programs as well as an underground supply network of Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, The New York Times reported on its website late Sunday.

The newspaper said the operation involved Friedrich Tinner and his two sons, who have been accused in Switzerland of dealing with rogue nations seeking nuclear equipment and expertise.

But the case has been hampered by the destruction of relevant documents, which was done, according to Swiss officials, to prevent their falling into terrorist hands.

But The Times said the real reason for the destruction was pressure from the CIA, which feared that its ties with the...