Region | Syria
UN agency supports Syria's right for nuclear power
The chief UN nuclear inspector said that Syria had a right to his agency's help in planning a power-producing atomic reactor, in what diplomats described as a rejection of US-led efforts to block the aid.
- AP
- Published: 23:15 November 25, 2008
Vienna, Austria: The chief UN nuclear inspector said that Syria had a right to his agency's help in planning a power-producing atomic reactor, in what diplomats described as a rejection of US-led efforts to block the aid.
The clash reflected tensions between Mohammad Al Baradei, the head of the UN nuclear agency, and key Western nations over whether Syria should be given potentially sensitive nuclear guidance at a time when it is being probed.
Russia, China and developing nations also back the aid project, said diplomats who spoke on Monday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the International Atomic Energy Agency talks.
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said it was "totally inappropriate, we believe, given the fact that Syria is under investigation by the IAEA for building a nuclear reactor outside the bounds of its international legal commitments.
"And then for the IAEA to be involved in providing technical information concerning nuclear activities would seem to be contradictory, if not ironic," McCormack said.
A report circulated last week by Al Baradei confirmed that soil samples taken at the site of a building in Syria bombed last year by Israel revealed "a significant number" of uranium particles.
The report also said that satellite imagery and other information appeared to bear out US intelligence that the building was a nuclear reactor - one Washington said was nearly completed and almost ready to produce plutonium, a fissile warhead component.
Syria denies hiding nuclear activities. But the report strengthened both concerns that it might have something to conceal and arguments from the US and its allies that Damascus should not be offered agency help in planning its civilian reactor. Beyond helping the Syrians develop expertise, the aid would send the wrong signal about a country under investigation.
Iraq mistake cited
The chief UN nuclear inspector is invoking false US claims that Saddam Hussain had weapons of mass destruction in urging caution against prematurely judging Syria.
At issue is whether Damascus should be given potentially sensitive nuclear guidance at time when it is being investigated for alleged secret atomic activities. Mohammad Al Baradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, spoke Monday to the 35 nations on the UN nuclear agency's board.
In his comments at the closed meeting on Tuesday, Al Baradei did not mention the US by name. But his reference to the claims that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction made it clear that his criticism was directed mostly at Washington.
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