D'oh! IAEA: Iraq nuke plants apparently unguarded . . .

[DealMonkey]

Hmmmm, I wonder if terrorists might need some radiological materials for a dirty bomb? Hmmmm, I just don't know . . . . is that something they'd want to get their hands on? Did anyone send Condi and Rummy a memo on this?

IAEA: Iraq nuke plants apparently unguarded

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Some Iraqi nuclear facilities appear to be unguarded, and radioactive materials are being taken out of the country, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency reported after reviewing satellite images and equipment that has turned up in European scrapyards.

The International Atomic Energy Agency sent a letter to U.S. officials three weeks ago informing them of the findings. The information was also sent to the U.N. Security Council in a letter from its director, Mohamed ElBaradei, that was circulated Thursday.

The IAEA is waiting for a reply from the United States, which is leading the coalition administering Iraq, officials said.

The United States has virtually cut off information-sharing with the IAEA since invading Iraq in March 2003 on the premise that the country was hiding weapons of mass destruction.

No such weapons have been found, and arms control officials now worry the war and its chaotic aftermath may have increased chances that terrorists could get their hands on materials used for unconventional weapons or that civilians may be unknowingly exposed to radioactive materials.

According to ElBaradei's letter, satellite imagery shows "extensive removal of equipment and in some instances, removal of entire buildings," in Iraq.

In addition, "large quantities of scrap, some of it contaminated, have been transferred out of Iraq from sites" previously monitored by the IAEA.

In January, the IAEA confirmed that Iraq was the likely source of radioactive material known as yellowcake that was found in a shipment of scrap metal at Rotterdam harbor.

Yellowcake, or uranium oxide, could be used to build a nuclear weapon, although it would take tons of the substance refined with sophisticated technology to harvest enough uranium for a single bomb.

The yellowcake in the shipment was natural uranium ore which probably came from a known mine in Iraq that was active before the 1991 Gulf War.

The yellowcake was uncovered December 16 by Rotterdam-based scrap metal company Jewometaal, which had received it in a shipment of scrap metal from a dealer in Jordan.

A small number of Iraqi missile engines have also turned up in European ports, IAEA officials said.

"It is not clear whether the removal of these items has been the result of looting activities in the aftermath of the recent war in Iraq or as part of systematic efforts to rehabilitate some of their locations," ElBaradei wrote to the council.

The IAEA has been unable to investigate, monitor or protect Iraqi nuclear materials since the U.S. invaded the country in March 2003. The United States has refused to allow the IAEA or other U.N. weapons inspectors into the country, claiming that the coalition has taken over responsibility for illicit weapons searches.

So far those searches have come up empty-handed and the CIA's first chief weapons hunter has said he no longer believes Iraq had weapons just before the invasion.

Source: CNN.com

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

You want to deploy troops to Iran? If not, what is your solution to such a problem....let me guess--U.N.?

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
You want to deploy troops to Iran? If not, what is your solution to such a problem....let me guess--U.N.?

IRAQ fool! Yeah, I thought so . . . pull those baggy pants up son.

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
You want to deploy troops to Iran? If not, what is your solution to such a problem....let me guess--U.N.?

IRAQ fool! Yeah, I thought so . . . pull those baggy pants up son.

I thought I just read on CNN's site that Iran's N-power was unguarded...accept my humble apologies, dad. I was up until 2:30am last night trying to pay my dues to the nation. I am not as sharp as I normally am today, given 2 hours of sleep...I'll take the rest of the day off

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

May I try again, sir?


Let me ask you this, then. After reading that they are "reviewing satellite images and equipment that has turned up in European scrapyards," where do you presuppose these so-called "European scrapyards" are located...does it make mention and I just missed it?

 

[rickn]

I thought I just read on CNN's site that Iran's N-power was unguarded...

you didn't read it wrong, the headlie on CNN's front page said Iran. they changed it. CNN screws up all the time

 

[Zephyr106]

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
May I try again, sir?


Let me ask you this, then. After reading that they are "reviewing satellite images and equipment that has turned up in European scrapyards," where do you presuppose these so-called "European scrapyards" are located...does it make mention and I just missed it?

"The yellowcake was uncovered December 16 by Rotterdam-based scrap metal company Jewometaal, which had received it in a shipment of scrap metal from a dealer in Jordan."

Rotterdam Netherlands. Pathetic attempt at French-bashing averted.

Zephyr

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
May I try again, sir?


Let me ask you this, then. After reading that they are "reviewing satellite images and equipment that has turned up in European scrapyards," where do you presuppose these so-called "European scrapyards" are located...does it make mention and I just missed it?

Oh I'm sure the scrapyards are located in France and Chirac is somehow making money off the operation - either that or old people are being irradiated by the score. Is that what you wanted to hear?

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Oh I'm sure the scrapyards are located in France and Chirac is somehow making money off the operation - either that or old people are being irradiated by the score. Is that what you wanted to hear?

Why, yes; yes, it is I'll keep my eyes open for the French Connection this weekend and keep you posted.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: rickn

I thought I just read on CNN's site that Iran's N-power was unguarded...

you didn't read it wrong, the headlie on CNN's front page said Iran. they changed it. People screw up all the time

There...fixed.

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Hmmmm, I wonder if terrorists might need some radiological materials for a dirty bomb? Hmmmm, I just don't know . . . . is that something they'd want to get their hands on? Did anyone send Condi and Rummy a memo on this?

But now it's historical data. Doesn't matter anymore.

The IAEA has been unable to investigate, monitor or protect Iraqi nuclear materials since the U.S. invaded the country in March 2003. The United States has refused to allow the IAEA or other U.N. weapons inspectors into the country, claiming that the coalition has taken over responsibility for illicit weapons searches.

Coalition? More like 99.9% U.S. personnel.