| Looting of nuclear facilities alleged in Iraq Dirty bomb materials may have been stolen from the Iraqi Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Center. The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is sending a small team of inspectors on a limited mission into Iraq, following reports that nuclear material has been looted from the Iraqi Tuwaitha Nuclear Research Center and other nuclear facilities in the country. Materials that may have been removed include natural uranium, low-enriched uranium, caesium, cobalt and strontium. Many of these materials could be used by terrorists in the development of a dirty bomb. The Director General of IAEA, Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, stated: "I am deeply concerned by the almost daily reports of looting and destruction at nuclear sites and about the potential radiological safety and security implications of nuclear and radiological materials that may no longer be under control." "We have a moral responsibility to establish the facts without delay and take urgent remedial action," said Dr. ElBaradei.
•Date:
5th June 2003 •Region: M. East / Worldwide
•Type: Article •Topic:
Terrorism
|
