Alleged nuclear Syrian site looked like reactor, IAEA says was released Wednesday (Roundup)

Nov 19, 2008, 15:29 GMT

Vienna - Satellite images and uranium particles found in the Syrian desert by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could point to a secret nuclear programme, although the agency stressed in its latest report Wednesday that no conclusions could be drawn yet.

In his report released to IAEA members, the agency's Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said that satellite images taken before and after the al-Kibar site was bombed by the Israeli air force in September 2007 'are similar to what may be found in connection to a reactor site.'

The report also confirmed that the Vienna-based Agency found 'a significant number' of uranium particles which were the result of chemical processing and not natural uranium ore.

'What's sure is that its not very usual that you find man-made uranium in sand,' a senior official close to the IAEA said.

Syria has told the nuclear agency that al-Kibar was a conventional military site and that the uranium must have originated from material used in Israeli munitions.

The IAEA refers to the al-Kibar site as Dair Alzour.

IAEA inspectors first visited al-Kibar for the first time in June, after the nuclear agency had received intelligence from the United States indicating that Syria could have been building a reactor, possibly with help from North Korea.

Although Syrian officials have told the IAEA that there would have been no adequate water and electrical supply at al-Kibar for a reactor, ElBaradei wrote that the pumping system still present at the site was 'adequate for a reactor' and that there was 'adequate electrical capacity.'

According to the report, IAEA inspectors have so far not been able to visit three other sites that could have been connected to the alleged nuclear programme. Damascus has so far denied the IAEA access to three other sites.

Satellite images showed that landscaping activity and the removal of large containers took place shortly after the agency's request for access in early May.

Besides calling for Syrian cooperation, ElBaradei also asked Israel to provide information to verify Syria's claim that the uranium particles were part of ammunition.

So far, IAEA inspectors have not been able to analyse rubble from the bomb site, which was removed to an unknown location soon after the attack.

ElBaradei said his organization 'was severely hampered in discharging its responsibilities' because of Israel's 'unilateral use of force,' and by the fact that the US had provided its intelligence findings to the IAEA only this spring.

The IAEA's governing board is set to discuss the report in its traditional November meeting from December 27.