Israeli nuclear secrets 'under threat'

Israel is believed to possess a nuclear arsenal

Israeli newspapers are reporting that there is deep unease in the country's defence ministry after the arrest of a US citizen convicted of selling nuclear weapons parts to Israel was arrested in Spain.

Richard Smith file

Arrested in Malaga, Spain in July 2001

Fled US in 1985 after conviction for illegal sale of nuclear technology

Reported to have sold 850 chips for nuclear triggers to Israel

Smith was president of the Los Angeles-based Milco company that manufactured microchips

A report in the Haaretz daily newspaper says Israeli officials fear information about Israel's nuclear weapons programme might emerge following the arrest of Richard Kelly Smith two weeks ago after 16 years on the run.

Smith, an electronic engineer, fled the US in 1985 after a court found him guilty of breaking American laws on the sale of nuclear materials.

He is reported to have used counterfeit documents to export 850 krypton microchips manufactured by his company in the US to Israel's defence ministry.

Krypton triggers are used to detonate nuclear bombs.

Israel ambivalent

Police discovered that between 1973 and 1985, 80% of sales by Smith's Los Angeles-based company, Milco, were to Israel.

At the time, Israel insisted its purchases from Milco were used for pharmaceutical purposes.

Smith is reported to have also sold parts to Taiwan, which, like Israel, was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

Israel refuses to disclose whether it has nuclear weapons, although it is widely believed to possess a large nuclear arsenal.

Extradition request

Smith, who is now 71, was arrested by Spanish police in Malaga.

A police spokesman said the Spanish authorities are considering sending him back to the US.

"In 1985 Los Angeles authorities filed an international warrant for [Smith's] arrest and extradition... so we are complying with that request. The case has been transferred to the High Court," the spokesman said.

Spain's Justice Ministry says it also received a "verbal petition" from Washington for Smith's arrest and extradition in 1992.

The American embassy in Madrid refused to comment.