LETTER TO EDITOR: Suicide bombers don't steal

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Arnaud de Borchgrave's recent column, "Pakistan nuclear thefts foiled" (Opinion, Thursday), was right to highlight the importance of effective security at nuclear sites around the world, particularly in Pakistan. However, the attacks he describes were bombings at gates and on buses outside the facilities, not attempts to steal anything, let alone attempts to steal nuclear material. By definition, a suicide bomber cannot steal anything. These attacks say little about the terrorists' ability to penetrate these sites to steal nuclear weapons or materials.

Coordinated efforts by terrorists to steal nuclear bombs from facilities -- perhaps involving both outside attack and inside assistance -- are a real danger. To lessen that danger, the United States should strengthen cooperation with Pakistan to improve nuclear security and to counter extremist threats.

NEAL DOYLE

Program coordinator

Project on Managing the Atom

Harvard University

Cambridge, Mass.