DATE=7/27/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-236124
TITLE=IRAQ/IAEA REPORT L-O) )
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN A NEWLY RELEASED REPORT TODAY (MONDAY), THE
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY SAYS IT HAS NO EVIDENCE THAT
IRAQ EVER MANAGED TO DEVELOP ANY NUCLEAR WEAPONS OR RELATED
MATERIALS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM
THE UNITED NATIONS.
TEXT: IN A REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, THE INTERNATIONAL
ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY SAYS IT HAS PUT TOGETHER A TECHNICALLY
COHERENT PICTURE OF IRAQ'S CLANDESTINE NUCLEAR PROGRAM AND T/H/E
DESTROYED REMNANTS OF THAT PROGRAM.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, ALTHOUGH IRAQ WAS CLOSE TO PRODUCING
HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT IRAQ PRODUCED
MORE THAN A FEW GRAMS OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL THAT COULD BE USED IN
WEAPONS.
THE REPORT ALSO SAYS THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS THAT IRAQ HAS
ACHIEVED ITS GOAL OF PRODUCING NUCLEAR WEAPONS. BUT THE REPORT
SAYS IT IS CLEAR IRAQ HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN
WEAPONIZATION TECHNOLOGIES AT THE TIME OF THE GULF WAR.
BUT THE REPORT ALSO WARNS THAT IRAQ HAS A CONSIDERABLE
INTELLECTUAL RESOURCE IN THE FORM OF A CADRE OF WELL-EDUCATED,
HIGHLY EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL WHO WERE EMPLOYED IN IRAQ'S
CLANDESTINE NUCLEAR PROGRAM.
THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY CALLED ATTENTION SEVERAL
TIMES IN THE REPORT TO THE MINIMAL LEVELS OF COOPERATION THE
AGENCY WAS GIVEN BY THE IRAQIS.
THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY IS CHARGED WITH DISARMING
IRAQ OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS. THE AGENCY'S MONITORING PROGRAM INCLUDES
ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND AERIAL RADIATION SURVEYS.
A SPECIAL U-N COMMISSION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DESTROYING IRAQI
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WARFARE. BAGHDAD HOPES GOOD REPORTS FROM
THE TWO INSPECTION GROUPS WILL LEAD THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TO
LIFT SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/BJS/PT
27-Jul-98 7:08 PM EDT (2308 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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