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SLUG: 2-303978 IAEA Iraq (L-O)
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DATE=06/04/03 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=IAEA/IRAQ (L-O) NUMBER=2-303978 BYLINE=MELANIE SULLY DATELINE=VIENNA CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A small team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency left Vienna for Baghdad to look at a major nuclear installation. Melanie Sully reports from Vienna. TEXT: A team of seven I-A-E-A safety inspectors flew out to Kuwait City with 800-kilograms of equipment, full radiation protective gear, and sophisticated detection devices. The scientists are expected to arrive Friday in Baghdad to begin a two-week investigation into reports of looting at the Tuwaitha nuclear site, 50-kilometers south of the capital. I-A-E-A spokeswoman Melissa Fleming says this is not a resumption of the hunt for banned nuclear weapons. /// FLEMING ACT /// This mission is a mission that falls under Iraq's obligation under the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. It has a legal obligation to accept inspectors, to account for the nuclear material in Iraq. This material was under I-A-E-A seal since 1991 and inspectors went annually to check out whether it had remained in place or whether it had been diverted. It was always there and had not been tampered with and the last inspection was in February. Because of the reports of looting we were asked to go back and do an inventory of this. And this is what it is all about /// END ACT /// The inspectors will see how much radioactive material or uranium is missing or spilled. They plan to put back the seals, secure the facility and head back to Vienna. The I-A-E-A would like to take environmental samples and examine people reported to be suffering from radiation exposure. But the agency says U-S officials have not agreed to such work outside specified areas of the large Tuwaitha site. (SIGNED) NEB/MS/AWP/RAE |
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