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UN probes US Syria reactor claim | UN probes US Syria reactor claim |
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The UN's nuclear watchdog has said it will investigate US claims that Syria was building a secret nuclear reactor with North Korean help. | The UN's nuclear watchdog has said it will investigate US claims that Syria was building a secret nuclear reactor with North Korean help. |
The International Atomic Energy Agency criticised the US for withholding its intelligence until seven months after Israel bombed the site. | The International Atomic Energy Agency criticised the US for withholding its intelligence until seven months after Israel bombed the site. |
The US said the alleged Syrian reactor "was not for peaceful purposes". | The US said the alleged Syrian reactor "was not for peaceful purposes". |
Syria has said the US claim is "ridiculous" and has denied any nuclear links to North Korea. | Syria has said the US claim is "ridiculous" and has denied any nuclear links to North Korea. |
The site of the alleged reactor, said to be like one in North Korea, was bombed by Israel in 2007. | The site of the alleged reactor, said to be like one in North Korea, was bombed by Israel in 2007. |
'Unused military site' | 'Unused military site' |
The director general of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, has now been briefed by the US on their claims but "deplores" the delay, a statement from the agency said. | The director general of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, has now been briefed by the US on their claims but "deplores" the delay, a statement from the agency said. |
"The agency will treat this information with the seriousness it deserves and will investigate the veracity of the information," the statement said. | "The agency will treat this information with the seriousness it deserves and will investigate the veracity of the information," the statement said. |
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 Nuclear power in Middle EastUS claims raise wider doubtsFull text: US allegationsSend us your comments | 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 Nuclear power in Middle EastUS claims raise wider doubtsFull text: US allegationsSend us your comments |
The agency was critical of both the US delay in releasing the information and of Israel's bombing of the site before the IAEA could inspect it. | The agency was critical of both the US delay in releasing the information and of Israel's bombing of the site before the IAEA could inspect it. |
"The director general views the unilateral use of force by Israel as undermining the due process of verification that is at the heart of the non-proliferation regime," the statement said. | "The director general views the unilateral use of force by Israel as undermining the due process of verification that is at the heart of the non-proliferation regime," the statement said. |
The statement is a clear indication that Mr ElBaradei is not accepting the US claims at face value and wants his own first-hand information, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall. | The statement is a clear indication that Mr ElBaradei is not accepting the US claims at face value and wants his own first-hand information, says BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall. |
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. |
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 concern | US 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". |
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Images released by the CIA- footage courtesy of US Government video | Images 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. |
Images of alleged Syrian site | Images of alleged Syrian site |
"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 ongoing 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 ongoing 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 coincided with the end of a two-day meeting between US and North Korean officials on Pyongyang's nuclear programme, which both sides say went well - fuelling speculation that a deal may be imminent. | The CIA briefing and statement coincided with the end of a two-day meeting between US and North Korean officials on Pyongyang's nuclear programme, which both sides say went well - fuelling speculation that a deal may be imminent. |
But questions are being asked whether the reactor claim is designed to reinforce those diplomatic efforts or an attempt by some in the administration to undermine them. | But questions are being asked whether the reactor claim is designed to reinforce those diplomatic efforts or an attempt by some in the administration to undermine them. |