[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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Reading this board, I am more than convinced that most people on this planet should culled. Most humans are no worse or better than parasites. The eat, the breed and make war with eachother and die. All for what. Earth no longer can support such destruction. This evil species (Christians and Muslims) should be drowned like rats and burried underground for fertilizer
It's sick intolerant people like you that make the world a horrible place to live. Go ahead and keep stereotyping, you might think you're better than religious but the more you say things like that you just prove yourself wrong.
Alright, agent Smith....
hahahahaha agent smith thats a good one
we are truly the dumbest Nation on Earth.
we are giving Pakistans Millions every year – of course they invited their Chinese Friends to check out the crashed Helcopter.
now we appoint a Chinese American Ambassador to China-
no secrets anymore – he will like all Chinese – regardless born where – take care of the Motherland (China) first.
and pls don't tell me I'm out of line – lived and worked in China 8 years – also with so called Chinese Americans.
it's always we – the Chinese and you the Americans- same Blue Passport. no loalty to America – never.
2 War Verteran
Ambassador Locke was formerly the Governor of Washington State. He is every bit as American as any of us. Your logic makes no sense. That's like saying just because my grandmother was from Denmark then I hold the interests of Denmark over the USA. That's just plain hyperbole and idiotic. Trolls are ruining this country.
Hey–veteran–Your English sucks!!!!! Cant you write well???
Hey–veteran–Your English sucks!! Cant you write well???
Hey wzrd1....tell me where my IP addresses is from. I would like to know. If u do know I would like for you to tell me. I already know what city it will come up as, but that is 25 miles northeast of me. I will give you a hint of what it will show up as....two words one starting with S and the other with C. Use your CIA connections. Lol
Of course the Pakistanis gave the Chinese access to the helicopter. If you had to decide who to please, the Chinese or the U.S. under Obama? Well? Pretty simple decision isn't it?
China saw US secret, courtesy of Paki, with clothes on or off ? Paki are known to sell their mother for money.
The Chinese had access when a stealth fighter was shot down over Bosnia. They bought the latest fighters off Russia and then copied them and are now selling their cheaper version of them and undercutting the Russians weapons sales. They have a aircraft carrier thats a old Russian one they bought. They are good at making copies and cheating off others. We'll see how good the finished products are.
China has been stealing and reverse egineering everything they can get their hands on because their to stupid to have any creativity of their own.
And apparently you are too stupid to know the difference between they're, their and there.
Our dear friends the Pakistanis would never do such a thing to their money supply country
Paki needs hygiene training.
U mean it wasnt made in china ?
Looks like "Firefly" was right after all. NO WONDER Fox canceled that show after one season!
Paki official sold OBL address in Abbotabad Pakistan to CIA for $ 25 million reward and US greencard for the family. This matter is kept quiet on both side due to diplomatic sensitivity.
Duhhhhh.. I'm a little gossipy CNN troll.. I make up or twist facts to suit my master who treats me like garbage. I'm just a stupid tool.
Traitors, murderers and terrorists. East Pakistan (over half of population of Pakistan at that time) fought off in 1971 (after brutal war) from Pakistan and became the independent country of Bangladesh. In the same period, Pakistan's currency has sunk to half its value. Despite US aid, they deceived US, kept the helicopter only to show it to the Communist Red Chinese for Chinese aid in exchange for stealing US helicopter technology. This is baaaaaaaa .......... dddd!!
And US whole heartedly supported Pakistan comitting this atrocities.
Rubbish. West Pakistan walked into East Pakistan and took it over. The reason Bangladesh exists today is not because West Pakistan(now Bangladesh) fought back but because East Pakistan decided to attack India. India messed Pakistan and freed Bangladesh. It was called the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Pakistan has never recovered from that. Get your damned history right you rotten slimy muslims lovers.
we have to be careful with china, they are getting stonger every day, we must not let our secrets fall into the wrong hands we must watch these other countries who say they, are our allies.
How come your Victoria's Secret thongs are in your uncle's hands?