[Updated at 12:02 p.m.] Chinese military engineers likely got to examine the wreckage of the U.S. stealth helicopter that crashed during the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan, according to news reports.
"We have reason to suspect China was given access, but we cannot confirm it definitively. We have strong suspicions," a U.S. official told CNN.
Pakistani intelligence operatives likely gave the Chinese access to the wreckage, the New York Times reported, citing American officials and other intelligence sources.
The Chinese engineers were able to photograph the wreckage and take samples of the stealth skin that helps the chopper avoid radar detection, intelligence sources told the Financial Times.
When the aircraft crashed during the raid that killed the al Qaeda leader in May, Navy SEALs destroyed most of it to protect the technology. But the tail section remained mostly intact and it was that area that the Chinese engineers examined, according to the New York Times report.
U.S. intelligence is basing its opinion that the Chinese got access to the stealth copter on intercepted phone conversations, the Times reported.
A U.S. official says “we have reason to suspect China was given access but we cannot confirm it definitively. We have strong suspicions.”
Pakistani officials contacted by the New York Times refused comment on the matter. The Financial Times said a Pakistani official denied the accusations.
Both newspapers noted that China and Pakistan enjoy a longstanding military relationship.
The raid that killed bin Laden, staged without informing Pakistan, stoked tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan.
In July, the U.S. said it was withholding $800 million in aid to Pakistan.
"They've taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid which we're giving to the military, and we're trying to work through that," White House Chief of Staff William Daley said at the time.
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Post by: CNN's Barbara Starr, CNN's Brad Lendon Filed under: China • Military • Pakistan • World |
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Us will learn hard way that Pakis are traitors, they will do everything unethical, immoral.
What made anyone think that Pakistan would not give the Chinese access to the tail rotar section? The Chinese would have paid big money. They are also in country to spy on all military communications used by the U.S. They are observing everything the U.S. does. What country would pass up an oportunity to spy on a potential adversary?
Guess you've never heard of a concept called loyalty, NetNinja. Pakistan is supposedly our ally. Of course, I would re-evaluate that status after this incident. Allies that betray you must be taught a lesson.
After Raymond Davis upsetting them, I wouldn't be surprised.
Chinese are great at building one-offs, problem is they usually last about a week before they break. All this did was probably result in killing a few more of their test pilots. As for Christianity being violent terrorist, ya...right, I guess in your warped world you can come to that conclusion.
Hmmm...I suspect you've never heard of the Inquisition or Pro-Lifers.
And we are giving money to Pakistan for what reason?
1) They are known to be harboring enemies of America.
2) Most of the news about Pakistan is anti-American.
3) Now giving other anti-American countroes an edge on intelligence.
Oh yeah because our current government sees fit to throw our money away.
Hey RGM,
Sorry, donkeyboy. You need to read up on history before blaming Obama or the U.S. governement for "throw our money away".
Pakistan and India have long been at odds; Before China entered the global power picture. Throw in Iran, and there's a reason the U.S. has a vested/financial interest in a stable Pakistan.
Go back to drinking your tea.
Totally agree with you. look at it this way.. the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan combined cost around 3 Billion per week. We gave Pakistan (the nation that harbored Bin Laden) 4.4 billion in aid in 2010 alone.. Afghanistan received 10.2 Billion and in Iraq we have spent almost 100 Billion since 2003. Lol People complain about money to Israel and while we give them 2.8 Billion at least they develop technology and test technology FOR the U.S.
Oh who cares?
The Chinese already have hacked and stolen the entire plans for the thing.
China and US as the 2 largest economies are inexorably linked and will continue to have very good relations.
We are mutually dependent upon one another.
.
Well said brotha man
We are dependent BUT we compete. Lol. How can we compete while they steal technology and regularly steal tech and hack into U.S. corporations? It is more complex than the simple world you have in your mind.
Big brother removed my post my book will put soon
.....While China spending billions on thier military , they still dont have enough food to feed their nation...someday a civil war will break-out in there country, and food and religion will be the cause.
not the foods, you idieot! china has all the money to buy those foods, including the foods on your table! it is the religions that are poisoning the world all over,.christians and muslims are the evils of this world! doing MORE KILLINGS than any other religions! and all of your evil people used love as the pretexts! WHAT LOVES,.both of your religions have been killing the others since the roman times! you idiots!
Why don't we just get rid of Pakistan and just say "India did it"
I guess the stereotypes are true; you can barter for anything in Pakistan. What a bunch of bums.
We need to permanently take Pakistan off our list of foreign states to which we make 'welfare' payments. With friends like that...
Pakistan is loyal to baksheesh. We know they lie and play both sides of the fence, no surprises here.
Booo Hooo Hoooo......grow up. Satellite technology these days can pick up a fly sitting on a rhino in Kenya.
OF COURSE CHINA SAW IT. Lol. The Pakistanis are NOT our friends any more than China is simply a competing economy.. the world is far more dark, complex and ambiguous than that.
Read the Art of War by Sun Ztu...China has is beating us in every front. Now they start to set up their military. Look at your history. They are a friend because of a mutual dependence. What happens when that relationship ceases.....Do not cut military spending. We did that prior to WWII and things didnt go so well at the outset.
Whoa, you'd kill millions of people over a milatary secret? I thought this was CNN not Fox.