IAEA deepens Syria nuclear probe over uranium traces

IAEA deepens Syria nuclear probe over uranium traces
By Reuters

 

Syria's initial explanation of uranium traces U.N. inspectors found at a Damascus atom research reactor is unconvincing and they will take more samples in a deepening probe, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

according to Monday's report.

 

The report pointed out that the uranium samples did not fit Syria's earlier explanation for the particles -- that they came from reference materials or from a transport container. It said the type could also not be traced to Syria's declared inventory.

 

IAEA inspectors will visit the Damascus site on Tuesday to check Syria's latest explanation for the traces and the agency has asked for more information on Syria's yellow cake production and any other materials that could contain uranium particles.

 

The report said Syria was still refusing IAEA requests for return visits to the bombed Dair Alzour site and had not let the agency visit three military sites, whose appearance was altered by landscaping after the IAEA first asked to check them.

 

"Essentially, no progress has been made since the last report to clarify any of the outstanding issues," it said.