Thursday, May 29, 2008

Syria's Nuclear Program

From The Washington Post:
The Bush administration is pressing U.N. inspectors to broaden their search for possible secret nuclear facilities in Syria, hinting that Damascus's nuclear program might be bigger than the single alleged reactor destroyed by Israeli warplanes last year.

At least three sites have been identified by U.S. officials and passed along to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is negotiating with Syria for permission to conduct inspections in the country, according to U.S. government officials and Western diplomats. U.S. officials want to know if the suspect sites may have been support facilities for the alleged Al Kibar reactor destroyed in an Israeli air raid Sept. 6, the sources said.


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This follows the following news article from The Telegraph:

Syria-bound missile components intercepted, claims US
Equipment bound for Syria which could be used to test ballistic missile components was intercepted during a previously undisclosed mission, the United States has announced.

Four member states of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), a group of 90 countries who seek to prevent the shipment of weapons of mass destruction, were involved in the operation in February, 2007.


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My Comment: After the attack on this Syrian nuclear reactor, the following article from the Danger Room was published. I see it as a good summary on the entire issue of nuclear proliferation by Syria.

It is clear that monies and resources are being diverted by Syria to develop a program that examines the production of nuclear material. The reactor is a small one, but its presence indicates a definite commitment to some nuclear program. The question that must then be asked is what programs and projects are in the works and/or are being developed. The interception of components necessary for ballistic missiles is a big red flag. Will stones start to be overturned to look for more of this program .... we shall see.

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