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Israel hampering Syria nuclear investigations!?
Just when you think the UN can’t get any lower, they dig a little deeper …
Details of IAEA meetings rarely reach the public domain and open criticism of the head of a UN body such as Mr ElBaradei is almost unheard-of, correspondents say.
Syria became subject to IAEA investigation in 2007 after Israel jets destroyed what the US said was a nearly finished nuclear reactor, built with North Korean help, that could produce plutonium, a substance used in nuclear warheads.
Syria denies the accusations, but after allowing International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors in 2008, it repeatedly blocked requests for further access.
During the first visit, the IAEA investigators found uranium traces at the site.
Syria said it was a result of Israeli weaponry used in the air strike.
Of course it’s all Israels fault…
Tension boiled over at the meeting when Israel’s envoy, Ambassador Israel Michaeli, accused Mr ElBaradei of making repeated, “redundant” demands for more information.
“Israel has responded timely and in good faith to the question addressed to it regarding the possible origin on the uranium particles, traced in the site of the nuclear reactor in Deir al-Zour,” Mr Michaeli said.
“Had the director-general wished for further information from Israel, he would have not refused to meet with Israeli officials, and refrained from publicly lashing at Israel.
“Israel calls on the director general to avoid political bias in dealing with the Syrian file,” Mr Michaeli concluded in a transcript made available to the media.
Mr ElBaradei was quick to respond saying: “When Israel bombed what was claimed to be a nuclear facility, it was not only hampering our work, but it was a clear violation of international law.
“You, sir, your action is deplored by not allowing us to do what we’re supposed to do under international law. You’re not even a member of the (NPT) regime to tell us what to do. We would appreciate it if you stopped preaching to us.”
He added that given what he characterised as Israel’s scant regard for the work of the IAEA, “I’ll not dignify (the charge) that we’re biased”.
Source: BBC News.
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