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/americas/7374011.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Bush defends Syria reactor claim | Bush defends Syria reactor claim |
(about 1 hour later) | |
President George W Bush has defended the recent disclosure of intelligence by the US on suspected nuclear links between North Korea and Syria. | President George W Bush has defended the recent disclosure of intelligence by the US on suspected nuclear links between North Korea and Syria. |
The move was meant as a "message" to the two states and also Iran, he said. | The move was meant as a "message" to the two states and also Iran, he said. |
Last week, the White House briefed Congress on what it said was evidence that Syria had been building a secret nuclear reactor with North Korean help. | Last week, the White House briefed Congress on what it said was evidence that Syria had been building a secret nuclear reactor with North Korean help. |
It presented intelligence seven months after Israel bombed the site. Syria said the US claim was "ridiculous". | It presented intelligence seven months after Israel bombed the site. Syria said the US claim was "ridiculous". |
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has criticised the US for withholding its intelligence. | |
'Message to Iran' | |
"We... wanted to advance certain policy objectives through the disclosure," President Bush said at a news conference in Washington. | |
"One would be to the North Koreans to make it abundantly clear that we may know more about you than you think. | |
"Then we have an interest in sending a message to Iran and the world, for that matter, about just how destabilising nuclear proliferation would be in the Middle East," Mr Bush said. | |
He added that the information had been withheld at first amid concerns about the risk of "confrontation" or "retaliation", without elaborating. | |
The site of the alleged reactor, said to be like one in North Korea, was bombed by Israel in 2007. | |
White House officials have said it was within weeks or months of completion. | |
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, Damascus said. |
Previous version
1
Next version