This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7366658.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UN probes US Syria reactor claim UN probes US Syria reactor claim
(9 minutes later)
The UN's nuclear watchdog says it will investigate US claims that Syria was building a secret nuclear reactor with North Korean help.The UN's nuclear watchdog says it will investigate US claims that Syria was building a secret nuclear reactor with North Korean help.
US officials said the alleged Syrian reactor "was not intended for peaceful purposes", after CIA officials briefed members of Congress.US officials said the alleged Syrian reactor "was not intended for peaceful purposes", after CIA officials briefed members of Congress.
Syria has said the US claim is "ridiculous" and denied any nuclear links to North Korea.Syria has said the US claim is "ridiculous" and denied any nuclear links to North Korea.
The site, said to be like one in North Korea, was bombed by Israel in 2007.The site, said to be like one in North Korea, was bombed by Israel in 2007.
'Unused military site''Unused military site'
The head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, said he had been briefed by the US on their claims.The head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, said he had been briefed by the US on their claims.
"The agency will treat this information with the seriousness it deserves and will investigate the veracity of the information," he said."The agency will treat this information with the seriousness it deserves and will investigate the veracity of the information," he said.
But he also criticised the US for not giving the IAEA its information sooner and said Israel should have given inspectors a chance to investigate the purported reactor before they bombed it.But he also criticised the US for not giving the IAEA its information sooner and said Israel should have given inspectors a chance to investigate the purported reactor before they bombed it.
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS 6 Sept 2007: Israel bombs site in Syria 1 Oct: Syria's President Assad tells BBC site was military24 Oct: New satellite images taken show site bulldozed clear 24 April 2008: US claims Syrian site was nuclear reactor Full text: US allegationsUS allegations raise questionsSend us your commentsSEQUENCE OF EVENTS 6 Sept 2007: Israel bombs site in Syria 1 Oct: Syria's President Assad tells BBC site was military24 Oct: New satellite images taken show site bulldozed clear 24 April 2008: US claims Syrian site was nuclear reactor Full text: US allegationsUS allegations raise questionsSend us your comments
Syrian officials have said the site that was bombed by Israel on 6 September 2007 was an unused military facility under construction. Building on the site had stopped some time before the air strike, the Syrians said.Syrian officials have said the site that was bombed by Israel on 6 September 2007 was an unused military facility under construction. Building on the site had stopped some time before the air strike, the Syrians said.
On Thursday, American security officials showed members of Congress evidence they said proved Syria was building a nuclear reactor with North Korean assistance.On Thursday, American security officials showed members of Congress evidence they said proved Syria was building a nuclear reactor with North Korean assistance.
Among the evidence they displayed were pictures - said to have been obtained by Israel - allegedly taken inside the facility showing the reactor core being built.Among the evidence they displayed were pictures - said to have been obtained by Israel - allegedly taken inside the facility showing the reactor core being built.
Other pictures were said to prove that North Koreans were working inside the secret site.Other pictures were said to prove that North Koreans were working inside the secret site.
The images showed striking similarities between the Syrian facility and the North Korean reactor at Yongbyon, the US said.The images showed striking similarities between the Syrian facility and the North Korean reactor at Yongbyon, the US said.
However, the facility was not yet operational and there was no fuel for the reactor, officials said.However, the facility was not yet operational and there was no fuel for the reactor, officials said.
US concernUS concern
The White House said Syria's "cover-up" operation after the Israeli air strike reinforced its belief that the alleged reactor "was not intended for peaceful activities".The White House said Syria's "cover-up" operation after the Israeli air strike reinforced its belief that the alleged reactor "was not intended for peaceful activities".
Advertisement
Images released by the CIA- footage courtesy of US Government videoImages released by the CIA- footage courtesy of US Government video
In late October 2007, an independent American research organisation, the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), released pre- and post-strike satellite images of the site which indicated it had been bulldozed flat after the bombing.In late October 2007, an independent American research organisation, the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), released pre- and post-strike satellite images of the site which indicated it had been bulldozed flat after the bombing.
"Until 6 September, 2007, the Syrian regime was building a covert nuclear reactor in its eastern desert capable of producing plutonium," the White House statement said."Until 6 September, 2007, the Syrian regime was building a covert nuclear reactor in its eastern desert capable of producing plutonium," the White House statement said.
"The Syrian regime must come clean before the world regarding its illicit nuclear activities.""The Syrian regime must come clean before the world regarding its illicit nuclear activities."
The statement added that the US had long been "seriously concerned about North Korea's nuclear weapons programme and its proliferation activities".The statement added that the US had long been "seriously concerned about North Korea's nuclear weapons programme and its proliferation activities".
'Ridiculous allegations''Ridiculous allegations'
Syrian officials have denied any North Korean involvement in their country.Syrian officials have denied any North Korean involvement in their country.
"These allegations are ridiculous," Syria's ambassador to the UK, Sami Khiyami, told the BBC."These allegations are ridiculous," Syria's ambassador to the UK, Sami Khiyami, told the BBC.
Compare before and after satellite images of the siteEnlarge ImageCompare before and after satellite images of the siteEnlarge Image
"We are used to such allegations now, since the day the United States has invaded Iraq - you remember all the theatrical presentations concerning the WMDs [weapons of mass destruction] in Iraq.""We are used to such allegations now, since the day the United States has invaded Iraq - you remember all the theatrical presentations concerning the WMDs [weapons of mass destruction] in Iraq."
Mr Khiyami said the facility was a deserted military building that had "nothing to do with a reactor".Mr Khiyami said the facility was a deserted military building that had "nothing to do with a reactor".
Syria is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which gives it the right to enrich its own fuel for civil nuclear power, under inspection from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).Syria is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which gives it the right to enrich its own fuel for civil nuclear power, under inspection from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
North Korea has previously denied transferring nuclear technology to Syria.North Korea has previously denied transferring nuclear technology to Syria.
Ulterior motive?Ulterior motive?
The White House insists it is committed to the on-going six-nation diplomacy, between North Korea and the US, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia that led to a landmark deal with Pyongyang, in February 2007.The White House insists it is committed to the on-going six-nation diplomacy, between North Korea and the US, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia that led to a landmark deal with Pyongyang, in February 2007.
North Korea agreed to give up its nuclear weapons in return for aid and its removal from a blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism. But the US has accused Pyongyang of missing the deadline to make a full nuclear declaration as promised.North Korea agreed to give up its nuclear weapons in return for aid and its removal from a blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism. But the US has accused Pyongyang of missing the deadline to make a full nuclear declaration as promised.
The CIA briefing and statement coincides with the end of a two-day meeting between US and North Korean officials on Pyongyang's nuclear programme, which both sides say have gone well - fuelling speculation that a deal may be imminent.The CIA briefing and statement coincides with the end of a two-day meeting between US and North Korean officials on Pyongyang's nuclear programme, which both sides say have gone well - fuelling speculation that a deal may be imminent.
The BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Washington, says the question being asked by some in the US capital is whether the reactor statement is designed to reinforce those diplomatic efforts or an attempt by some in the administration to undermine them.The BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Washington, says the question being asked by some in the US capital is whether the reactor statement is designed to reinforce those diplomatic efforts or an attempt by some in the administration to undermine them.