Vienna - Satellite images and uranium particles found in the
Syrian desert by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could
point to a secret nuclear programme, although the agency stressed in
its latest report Wednesday that no conclusions could be drawn yet.
In his report released to IAEA members, the agency's Director
General Mohamed ElBaradei said that satellite images taken before and
after the al-Kibar site was bombed by the Israeli air force in
September 2007 'are similar to what may be found in connection to a
reactor site.'
The report also confirmed that the Vienna-based Agency found 'a
significant number' of uranium particles which were the result of
chemical processing and not natural uranium ore.
'What's sure is that its not very usual that you find man-made
uranium in sand,' a senior official close to the IAEA said.
Syria has told the nuclear agency that al-Kibar was a conventional
military site and that the uranium must have originated from material
used in Israeli munitions.
The IAEA refers to the al-Kibar site as Dair Alzour.
IAEA inspectors first visited al-Kibar for the first time in June,
after the nuclear agency had received intelligence from the United
States indicating that Syria could have been building a reactor,
possibly with help from North Korea.
Although Syrian officials have told the IAEA that there would have
been no adequate water and electrical supply at al-Kibar for a
reactor, ElBaradei wrote that the pumping system still present at the
site was 'adequate for a reactor' and that there was 'adequate
electrical capacity.'
According to the report, IAEA inspectors have so far not been able
to visit three other sites that could have been connected to the
alleged nuclear programme. Damascus has so far denied the IAEA access
to three other sites.
Satellite images showed that landscaping activity and the removal
of large containers took place shortly after the agency's request for
access in early May.
Besides calling for Syrian cooperation, ElBaradei also asked
Israel to provide information to verify Syria's claim that the
uranium particles were part of ammunition.
So far, IAEA inspectors have not been able to analyse rubble from
the bomb site, which was removed to an unknown location soon after
the attack.
ElBaradei said his organization 'was severely hampered in
discharging its responsibilities' because of Israel's 'unilateral use
of force,' and by the fact that the US had provided its intelligence
findings to the IAEA only this spring.
The IAEA's governing board is set to discuss the report in its
traditional November meeting from December 27.
USA
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