IAEA Investigating Syria’s Undeclared Nuclear Plant
VIENNA, Oct 15 - The U.N. nuclear watchdog did not know about any undeclared atomic plant in Syria and has asked Damascus about information that such a site was targeted by an Israeli air strike, a spokeswoman said on Monday.
Citing unidentified U.S. and foreign officials with access to intelligence reports, the New York Times said on Sunday the nuclear reactor was partially built and apparently modelled on one in North Korea used for stockpiling atomic bomb fuel.
Israel confirmed earlier this month that it had carried out a Sept. 6 air strike on Syria, a major foe, but has not described the target. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the target was an unused military building.
“The International Atomic Energy Agency has no information about any undeclared nuclear facility in Syria and no information about recent reports,” spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said in a statement issued from the IAEA’s Vienna headquarters.
“The IAEA is in contact with the Syrian authorities to verify the authenticity of these reports,” she said.
“We would obviously investigate any relevant information coming our way. The IAEA Secretariat expects any country having information about nuclear-related activities in another country to provide that information to the IAEA.”
A Vienna diplomat close to the IAEA said it had initiated contacts with Damascus shortly after the air raid but the Syrians had provided no clarification yet.
U.S. officials have linked the raid to apparent Israeli suspicions of covert nuclear cooperation between North Korea and Syria. They said the site in question was identified earlier this year in satellite photographs.
Full Reuters article by Mark Heinrich HERE
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The IAEA is investigating huh? Well, what a relief that is to know?
October 15th, 2007 at 3:39 pmI feel safer already.
October 15th, 2007 at 4:29 pmIAEA = International Association of Emir Asshats
October 15th, 2007 at 7:32 pm