The Times of India today has an interesting article examining how much the CIA was involved in Pakistan's nuclear weapons program. It recalls that senator John Kerry was head of a US Senate Enquiry into the collapse of the BCCI bank.

"The enquiry report found that BCCI was involved in the sale of nuclear technologies and had indulged in various criminal activities - such as drugs trade, illegal arms deals, prostitution and money laundering.

"The report also said that BCCI had cultivated many prominent US personalities - among them, former defence secretary Clark Clifford, directors of CIA, Richard Helms and William Casey, former president Jimmy Carter.

"The report commented adversely on the inadequate cooperation of the CIA in the conduct of the enquiry. It recommended further action to make the CIA more accountable. The trial of Clark Clifford, who lent his prestige and name for the illegal activities of BCCI in the US, was dropped in view of his age and poor health.

"Later, the BCCI affair was given a quiet burial presumably because the CIA and many prominent personalities were involved. There were even allegations of connections between BCCI and the Bush family. "