The unqualified conclusion, contained on page five of the declassified intelligence report on missiles issued on Thursday, states: "Pakistan has Chinese-supplied M-11 Short-range ballistic missiles." The statement, which reflects the consensus of the US intelligence community, revives a long-simmering dispute between the intelligence community and the policymakers.

The US state department and the White House have long taken issue with such assessments, arguing that while Pakistan has acquired components of M-11 missiles, the evidence does not prove Islamabad actually possesses complete systems.

The issue of whether Pakistan possesses only missile components or whether it hasfull systems is significant because China could be subjected under US law to more serious sanctions for such a transfer than have been imposed in the past. But that may be difficult as US is trying to work cooperatively with China on several issues.

An Intelligence official said that the US has a responsibility to impose "very high evidentary standards" before imposing sanctions, especially when China has denied providing Islamabad with complete missile systems.