[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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Go Pakistan,you should given the entire plane to the Chinese.
It was a chopper you idiot, not a plane. Traitor!!!
Patrick, we should give you to the Chinese.
He is Chinese!
Patrick never said he was an American. In fact, he may BE Chinese.
we're withholding $800 million? lol. arent we in debt up to our eyeballs? is it candyland money? pakistan could just ask china for $800 million instead .. its probably their money anyway.
I think they ask for money from China too.
The Paki's, at their best, are a bunch of two faced liars. The U.S. needs to act accordingly. Uncle Sam is already seen as a wealthy FOOL – thanks to the U.S. Congress and Presidential actions.
That's another example of pakistan's so-called friendship with US. How many more such examples are we waiting for to come forth ??? Since OBL raid and cracked US-Pakistan relationship, Pakistan has been more friendlier towards China. Even china is completely showing its true friendship towards pakistan. They recently few days back supplied 50 f-35 fighter jets, even launched for them a communication satellite from China. We should immediately STOP any kind of aid to pakistan, when people are hungry, jobless and are more need of money AT HOME than any body else. I'm sure if US stopped the aid, China will supply those aid to pakistan. And let UN intervene in pakistan, like it did in other parts of the world. Because, US's investment in pakistan is a VERY BIG loss, we have lost 100s of billion $$$ for nothing in pakistan. With all that money, they are funding more terrorists, their training , more terrorist schools, their corrupt politicians and army generals are filling up their accounts with our money. PLEASE STOP ANY SUCH AID or SUPPORT TO A FAILED STATE LIKE PAKISTAN.
Corruption issues or not, Pakistan was disrespected to the max with no way to save face in the aftermath of the raid on OBL compound. Frankly, I'm surprised Pakistan didn't round up and summarily execute anyone who cooperated with U.S. without permission after what happened.
Pakistan has a lot of corruption and officials who would rather plan for Al-Qaeda's team instead of their own government, but US's actions may well have permanently pushed Pakistan into China's sphere of influence for the sake of Obama's political victory at home.
Pakistan is showing its true friendship towards us. On the other hand, China is trying to become the RULER of the world ( how we were known previously ). China is trying its best have the Best Army, Navy , airforce and war equipment. Similarly, India is a peaceful country, doesn't interfere in any one's business. India is not in good terms with pakistan and china as we all know off. Since we do have common enemies, I think supporting India and being a close friend would be great for US as well.
To all those world citizens:
How much in world taxes do you pay each year?
Im an American citizen, and my fellow American citizens come above all others. That's not to say that bad apples can't be swapped, and we get the best and brightest from all over the globe due to immigration (not a dirty word). So, have a bud and shutup.
Why wouldn't they? Merican bought off the Pakistan military to get access to OBL, but its not okay for China to buy off the Pakistan military to get access to a peice of equipment? Lol...
Anyone hanging around Groom Lake NV over the past 2 years would have seen this....
We should consider letting the jihadists down an unmanned drone. When the towelheads gather round it to celebrate , we should drop a bomb on them. Do this on the same day in a dozen or so places and our kill count would be phenomenal. Why we left the stealth copter in one piece on the ground is incredible. We should have destroyed it with a missle.
BillyJoyBob...as your name suggests, you are a true red neck. Please read the news before commenting. The chopper WAS destroyed. It was the tail that wasn't destroyed properly.
AMEN Brother!!!!!!!!!
Please just stop sending aid dollars to Pakistan. Invest them at home. Put them in science and technology. It would do the world a lot of good. At least put them in something like DARPA/military technology it would make America safer as well.
These wars are BS. End them and let them function alone. We don't need Americans to die for them!
We should consider letting the jihadists down and unmanned drone and when they gather round it to celebrate we drop a bomb on them. Do this in a dozen different places at the same time and our kill count would be phenomenal. Regarding the stealh copter, why we didnt target it's reamins with a missle is beyond me.
Does this come as any surprise? China is out to destroy us. Communism thrives in that country. They sit back and let the Taliban and al Queda do their dirty work. Keeps them looking lily white as they continue to flood our markets with cheap materials made in sweat shops where we will all be heading before too long after the Repukes and administration gets through with us.
Can't blame the Chinese for being opportunistic. However you can blame the Pakistanis. I don't understand the major fear factor with the U.S leaving them high and dry? It's obvious and has been shown over and over who they are protecting yet keep taking millions from the U.S. I know this sounds conspiracy like, but what the Hell is the U.S not telling everyone?
Call your House/Senate to ban all Chinese people to come to USA and evicted all "spied" Chinese students back to China and ban all China products to North/South Americas!
Did the Chinese see it? Oh thats easy...wait a month and see if the Chinese are flying all around on them damn helicoptors that look and feel the same if they are I guess that answers your question...
Really, we are giving Pakistan 800 million to aid their military. I guess the gov't thinks their military needs more help than jobless, suffering, uninsured, UNITED STATES CITIZENS!!!