Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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February 25, 2009

Diplomats Suspect Syrian Site Now a Missile Facility
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2284027:A6F02AD83191E160D9E35F663BA5E1AF30EB2FA2E66CBB22&
 
Syrian nuclear chief rejects IAEA findings of man-made uranium
particles, graphite, presence at al-Kibar facility 
Diplomats say Syria has revealed that a suspected nuclear site destroyed
by Israeli warplanes in 2007 is now a missile facility. Ibrahim Othman,
(2008 file photo)The diplomats, who requested anonymity, said Syrian
nuclear chief Ibrahim Othman spoke at a closed-door meeting Tuesday of
the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. Speaking to reporters
Tuesday, Othman rejected an IAEA report last week about particles of
man-made uranium found at the al-Kibar facility. Syria maintains the
uranium, which can be used in a nuclear reactor, came from the Israeli
weapons used to destroy the site. The IAEA said that was not likely. The
U.S. and others have alleged Syria was building a nuclear site. Syria
has maintained al-Kibar was a conventional military facility. The IAEA
said last year that al-Kibar had "features" characteristic of a nuclear
site. Othman also disputed the presence of graphite, which is used to
make the core of nuclear reactors. 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.


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