LOC22:14
19:14 GMT
IAEA
(with photos)
VIENNA, Feb 19 (KUNA) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency said on
Thursday there is only meager evidence that the uranium particles found by UN
inspectors at the Syrian military site Al-Kibar resulted from the Israeli air
attack on the site.
The tests conducted by the UN nuclear watchdog on soil samples taken from
the site in 2008 led to the discovery of uranium and graphite particles about
which Syria did not notify the IAEA, according to a report issued here by IAEA
Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei.
The report said the uranium contamination that turned up in the samples was
a chemically processed form of the mineral that was not the enriched variety
used to run nuclear power plants or as fissile bomb materials.
Acknowledging that the found traces were not significant, the IAEA chief
urged Syria to show more cooperation and transparency to the UN nuclear
inspectors.
Syria insists that the complex, located at Dair Al-Zour area, used to be a
conventional military facility before being destroyed by Israel in September
2007.
While it asserts that the uranium traces resulted from the Israeli
missiles, the United States and Israel as well as their European allies say
that the bombed site was a clandestine military nuclear facility.
Syria reiterated commitment to cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog in
line with the provisions of relevant accords signed by the two sides before.
Thursday's report along with other key issues such as the Iranian nuclear
program will be debated by the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors in early
March. (end)
amg.gb.
KUNA 192214 Feb 09NNNN