IRAQ: INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY INSPECTORS IN BAGHDAD DISCUSS WITH U.S. MILITARY AND PRESS ABOUT PLANS TO INSPECT THE TUWAITHA NUCLEAR ENERGY COMPOUND

Record ID: 648277

  • Title: IRAQ: INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY INSPECTORS IN BAGHDAD DISCUSS WITH U.S. MILITARY AND PRESS ABOUT PLANS TO INSPECT THE TUWAITHA NUCLEAR ENERGY COMPOUND
  • Date: 6th June 2003
  • Summary: (EU) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JUNE 6, 2003) (REUTERS -- ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS OF INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) INSPECTORS SITTING IN HOTEL LOBBY AND TALKING WITH U.S. SOLDIERS (5 SHOTS) 0.24 2. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) IAEA TEAM CHIEF BRIAN RENS, SAYING: "The purpose of our mission is to verify the nuclear material which is at the Tuwaitha site under the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) agreement, which means that it has nothing at all to do with weapons of mass destruction." 0.39 3. MV: BRIAN RENS TALKING 0.44 4. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) IAEA TEAM CHIEF BRIAN RENS, SAYING: "We will basically be establishing that the area is safe for us to work in, but that's about it. We are not going beyond the confines of this location (reporter asking if they have a big enough team) to achieve our goals I believe we do (reporter asking if they are working on the health concerns of people living nearby) that's not on our agenda (reporter asking when they are going to Tuwaitha) possibly tomorrow or the day after." 1.12 5. MLV: INSPECTOR WALKING AND TALKING WITH AMERICAN SOLDIERS 1.17 6. LV/WS: INSPECTORS IN LOBBY 1.22 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 21st June 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVA7CJ7YCLITIYR2GEE761CUWN6N
  • Story Text: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors
    have arrived in Baghdad to inspect the Tuwaitha Nuclear Energy
    Agency Compound to determine whether refined uranium ore is
    missing from the looted site.



    The team arrived in Baghdad on Friday (June 6) to
    inspect the Tuwaitha Nuclear Energy Agency Compound. The
    compound has been looted, and inspectors need to determine
    whether refined uranium ore is missing from the site.

    U.S. defence officials have said they are unable to
    determine whether the uranium is missing and hope the IAEA
    team can tell if there are gaps in inventory.

    "The purpose of our mission is to verify the nuclear
    material which is at the Tuwaitha site under the NPT
    (Non-Proliferation Treaty) agreement, which means that it has
    nothing at all to do with weapons of mass destruction," IAEA
    team leader Brian Rens said.

    The U.S. are placing restrictions on the seven
    International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors who are heading
    to Baghdad.

    The IAEA inspection team is the first -- and so far only
    -- team of international inspectors allowed into the country
    by the United States and Britain, the occupation powers in
    Iraq.

    "We will basically be establishing that the area is safe
    for us to work in, but that's about it. We are not going
    beyond the confines of this
    location," said Rens.

    The looting of the Tuwaitha nuclear complex near Baghdad
    has raised concerns because of the possible exposure of
    villagers to radiological materials.

    Another worry is that terrorists might use yellow cake or
    other materials stolen from the site in radiological weapons,
    or so-called "dirty bombs."
    After the Saddam Hussein's overthrow on April 9, looters
    made off with barrels likely to have been contaminated with
    traces of the "yellow cake" uranium they had held at the Iraqi
    Nuclear Agency's sprawling compound south of Baghdad.


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