[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.â€
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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The governemtn destroyed any parts of the thing that could provide any info to anyone! So why does CNN write a story trying to scare the AMerican people? Oh wait.. thats every day
What's the big deal? China probably already makes it for us anyway.
Yes, there's definitely a need to cut their funding!
Fool.
===============@Fread Evil: ===============Look, maybe you believe in turning the the other cheek, but you only have two cheeks unless you bare your bottom! And then you know what that makes you. The Chinese have insulted the U.S. so many times they make fools of us. Why do you think they continue to sell us junk?
There are people probably saying that everything is ok, because by the time the chinese or anyone can copy these designs, there will be only minor skirmishes left to fight, since the arab spring will become "cold" , the chinese for all their bluster are still an impoverished and backward country, and the major players factored in the percentage of military theft that routinely goes on. Most of this hype generates sensational news but not much elsem
I think it's great that we allow the US media to report on anything. I hope you realize how many lives you put in danger every time you divulge privileged information. And to the individual that gave you information for this story....it's only a matter of time before you are found. We have secrets for a reason, secrets that allow you unappreciative and sometimes worthless individuals to sleep comfortably in your beds at night.
What does Pakistan need to do before we stop sending them aid?
Idiot... better wish Russia and China are not having the same agenda
What China is seeing is decaying US economy and that is something we should truly be afraid of.
A good first step in deficit reduction...cut aid to this morally bankrupt nation.
brb, heading over to walmart to see if I can pick up my knock of stealth helo really quick.
Send the aid we normally give Pakistan to India. That will p*ss them off big time.
U can't buy friendship, only acquaintances. Spend the aid on aiding Americans here
No surprise, we know this will happens soon or later,.
Friends don't kill innocent people in your country.
Why is USA still giving schizophrenic countries like this...Foreign Aid??
Heres hoping India invades them soon
Agreed!
They annexed their miserable selves from India some 4-5 decades ago,
and have been just as unhappy ever since!
They delight in bombing each other.
Let India take them back, IF POSSIBLE...IF india wants them back???!
You imply India is US's friend, is it the same india that was in full cohots with Russia all through out the cold war, isnt it? Now that is a friend US can rely on 🙂
As for India invading Pakistan, it is a foolish statement by someone emotionally and intellectually deficient.
India was never an ally of the soviets until America cut of military aid during the war with Pakistan. even then India only allied with Russia for weapons. which we badly needed to fight your country Mr fake Jeff from Pakistan. where as Pakistan has never been a friend of anybody. India has never been a friend of America, but it has never been an enemy either. but your country Mr Jeff has the habit of biting the hand that feeds.