Syria discounts report by IAEA on nuclear reactor claims

Calcutta News.Net
Friday 21st November, 2008

Syria's nuclear energy chief said on Friday a UN watchdog report on an alleged secret Syrian nuclear site bombed by Israel proved nothing and the investigation should be closed.

Ibrahim Othman said he expected Syria would stick by a written agreement with UN inspectors that permitted only one visit to the Al-Kibar site - which took place last June - and "we will not allow another visit".

An International Atomic Energy Agency report issued on Wednesday said a Syrian complex destroyed in a 2007 Israeli air strike bore a number of characteristics resembling those of a nuclear reactor and UN inspectors had found a significant number of uranium traces in desert sands there.

The findings, based on satellite pictures and soil and water samples taken by UN investigators, were not enough to conclude a reactor was there but the findings were serious and warranted more investigation and Syrian transparency, the IAEA said.

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