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The site of the Syrian nuclear facility before and after it was hit in an IAF strike last September. (Archives) Last update - 08:12 24/05/2008 Syria hesitant to let IAEA inspect alleged nuke site hit by IAF By Reuters Tags: U.S., IAEA, nuclear reactor  Syria has yet to accept a request from the UN nuclear watchdog to visit a site where Washington says Damascus covertly built an atomic reactor, and has demanded more details about the proposed trip, diplomats said. The head of the UN body, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said on May 7 that he hoped to be able to shed light "in the next few weeks" on whether a Syrian facility, bombed by Israel last year, was an undeclared nuclear reactor. Syria, an ally of Iran whose secretive nuclear program is under UN sanctions and IAEA investigation, has rejected as fabricated U.S. intelligence pointing to an almost completed graphite reactor erected with North Korean help. Advertisement Damascus, whose only declared nuclear facility is an old research reactor under IAEA inspection, has said Israel's target was only a disused military building in its eastern desert that had no nuclear link. At the start of May, the IAEA wrote to Syria asking to see the targeted area. Syrian atomic energy chief Ibrahim Othman visited Vienna on May 9 for talks with the agency's chief, Mohamed ElBaradei, diplomats familiar with the matter said. Those talks did not produce any agreement on the timing and nature of a trip by senior inspectors, they added. One diplomat said on condition of anonymity that the agency had received a letter from Damascus earlier this week asking for more details on the proposed visit. The agency has replied and is now waiting for a further response, the diplomat added. Syria's UN envoy said in late April that Damascus would cooperate with the IAEA inquiry and had "nothing to hide." ElBaradei has chided the United States for waiting until last month to share its intelligence. Analysts citing fresh satellite photos said Syria had razed the site in the meantime, possibly to erase evidence and put up a new building. Diplomats close to the IAEA said it would be harder for inspectors to detect evidence than before the bombing of a site where Washington said secret nuclear activity dated from 2001. It is highly unlikely inspectors would find major components of a reactor or related equipment, but they will want to test for traces of graphite or uranium alloys and examine the local water supply system, Israeli nuclear analyst Ephraim Asculai said in an emailed statement earlier in May. Another report this month by independent nuclear experts briefed by U.S. officials said Syria went to great lengths to foil aerial surveillance by building a false roof and walls to alter what are the normal telltale contours of a reactor. Some analysts have questioned whether the U.S. material amounted to proof of any undeclared nuclear arms program. Gregory Schulte, the U.S. envoy to the IAEA, reiterated on Wednesday the facility at the site was not a typical power or research reactor. "Syrian authorities have a lot of explaining to do," Schulte told journalists. "They must allow IAEA inspectors to visit the site and ensure there are no other undeclared activities." Related articles: IAEA chief hopes to shed light on alleged Syrian reactor soon Syrian envoy to U.S.: Photos of alleged nuke site fabricated by CIA Syria accuses U.S. of aiding Israel in strike on nuke facility Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   The facts, or lack of them 21:04  |  Rowan 23/05/08   2.   It was a baby milk factory 21:51  |  Alan SA 23/05/08   3.   Both Syria and Israel should allow inspection. 22:17  |  Sali 23/05/08   4.   It is illogical, Captain. 22:38  |  Phillipe T. Lucre 23/05/08   5.   dicey 22:50  |  Phillipe T. Lucre 23/05/08   6.   #2 Sali 23:35  |  DR 23/05/08   7.   Well but keep in mind..Would the US,Russia,China EVER Allow IAEA? 00:59  |  Marco 24/05/08   8.   Let them in...Come on..ok." Just backpackers." 01:03  |  Stephen. 24/05/08   9.   This is strictly hypothetical 01:56  |  * BEN JABO 24/05/08   10.   Talk to Lincoln haTosefta - there was no reactor. 02:21  |  17 24/05/08   11.   IAEA chief DEFENDS his SYRIAN BROTHERS 05:53  |  CK Tan 24/05/08   12.   #2 Sali - Israel has NO obligations to the IAEA 05:56  |  CK Tan 24/05/08   13.   #7 It is a dictatorship, BEN JABO, not Bali.... 07:41  |  Johnboy 24/05/08   14.   What a stupid request. 13:17  |  Jo 24/05/08   15.   JOHNBOY NOTHING was bombed remember? YOU said so! Would YOU lie 13:32  |  PETER SM 24/05/08   16.   Inspecting Israel is the most urgent matter 14:45  |  Jens 24/05/08   17.   # 7 Marco....what nuclear secrets? 15:21  |  Lynn 24/05/08   18.   #11 CK Tan...there are rumblings within 15:25  |  Lynn 24/05/08   19.   # 16 Jens.....where is the legality in that? 15:28  |  Lynn 24/05/08   20.   #16 jens at the tivoli sipping vitriol 15:35  |  victor hardman 24/05/08   21.   CK Tan congratulations on the opening of the biggest Flyer yet 18:17  |  Genuine Tosefta 24/05/08   22.   Jens` Inspecting Israel is the most... 18:20  |  The Gentile 24/05/08   23.   Just needs cleaningn up.... 19:31  |  Esther 24/05/08   24.   Jens - low on oxygen? 20:07  |  Rory 24/05/08   25.   JENS you really should look at the obligations of NPT signatories 00:16  |  PETER SM 25/05/08   26.   17#Lynn Secrets are things you Do Not know so.. I do Not know lol 00:37  |  Marco 25/05/08   27.   17# Lynn Syrian(NK)Nuclear facility supposed to be kept in secret 00:59  |  Marco 25/05/08   28.   "Disused military facility" a likely story 01:26  |  Realist 25/05/08   29.   #13 Johnboy (from Australia he say`s) 06:40  |  * BEN JABO 25/05/08   30.   #16 Jens - Israel hasn`t threatened anyone 07:31  |  * BEN JABO 25/05/08

Read & React Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein Responses: 182 Shmuel Rosner: McCain's Pastor Hagee was trying 'to prevent a second Holocaust' Responses: 7 'Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time' Responses: 20 Zvi Bar'el: Let Assad and Olmert play out their own spin Send response Israel Harel: Preparing to strike Hamas under cover of truce Send response Rosner's Domain Explaining Hagee's Holocaust remarks Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Should American Jews Embrace Living Double Lives? Rosner's Guests: can "decisive victory" against guerilla achieved? Blame the Israel Lobby for Clinton's loss? (WTR) More Headlines 09:21 Law enforcement source: Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time 09:24 ANALYSIS / Olmert's last police interview was tailor-made for him 09:59 Israel and Egypt to resume Gaza talks amid split over truce terms 08:13 Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation of Israel talks 08:35 ANALYSIS / Can Syria break its Iranian bear hug? 08:42 5 questions about Pastor Hagee and the Holocaust 01:06 Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein 08:31 Spanish doctors, Israeli reality 09:11 Lebanon set to vote in Suleiman as president after months of crisis 08:59 Israel places 9th in 2008 Eurovision Song Contest; Russia wins Previous Editions Select Day 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may

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