Clicking on a couple more links, I see the raiders got all the way into the nuclear plant control room (which means exactly what it sounds like - the heart that controls the plant), which I find totally amazing. And then went to the control panel (um, there have to be multiple control panels (or one really big one)for a power plant, so I'm guessing they mean the one that controls the reactor).

DCLoser wrote:

Whoever wrote that doesn't know jack about the state of knowledge available to bombmakers. The problem isn't knowing HOW to build the bomb, but rather getting the equipment and the fissile material needed for the bomb.

I partially disagree as there is not enough information. There is no way of knowing the general knowledge level of the attackers. I only have to point to the numerous Red Mercury scams that occurred in the 90s - sometimes folks think they can get more than is available. The objective in gaining access to a reactor control room sure isn't clear here. Two and two are not making four.

http://djysrv.blogspot.com/2007/11/gunmen-attack-south-african-nuclear.html

But there may well be invaluable research and data stored at the facility on the process of producing weapons-grade nuclear material at Pelindaba.

Whoever wrote that doesn't know jack about the state of knowledge available to bombmakers. The problem isn't knowing HOW to build the bomb, but rather getting the equipment and the fissile material needed for the bomb.

As for out of work Russians, they might have been available 10 years ago, but nowadays the Russian government is swimming in money from its gas and oil sales. The nuclear scientists are all gainfully employed.

Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to hire someone from Russia (or South Africa) and is now out of a job?