IAEA and US discuss modalities for visit by nuclear experts to Iraq

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is discussing with the United States the modalities for a visit by its experts to Iraq to deal with the safety and security of nuclear materials at the al-Tuwaitha nuclear research center.

The IAEA said it had received a reply from the US government to the latest call on Monday by Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei to let the experts return inorder to address a possible radiological emergency in Iraq following almost daily reports of looting and destruction at nuclear sites.

The agency said it hoped to reach an agreement on a visit as soon as possible.

Mr. ElBaradei’s call was his third message on the issue in little over a month. “I am deeply concerned by the almost daily reports of looting and destruction at nuclear sites, and about the potential radiological safety and security implications of nuclear and radiological materials that may no longer be under control," he said.

"We have a moral responsibility to establish the facts without delay and take urgent remedial action," Mr. ElBaradei said of the reports about yellow cake being emptied on the ground from containers that were then taken for domestic use, and radioactive sources being stolen and removed from their shielding.

Mr. ElBaradei first wrote to the US Government on 10 April bringing its attention to the need to secure nuclear material stored at Tuwaitha that had been under IAEA seal since 1991. The IAEA received oral assurances that physical protection of the site was in place.

After reports of looting there and at other sites, Mr. ElBaradei wrote again on 29 April, emphasizing the responsibility of coalition forces to maintain appropriate protection over the materials in question. This includes natural and low-enriched uranium, radioactive sources such as Cobalt 60 and Caesium 137, and nuclear waste.

In Monday’s message he regretted that the IAEA had not yet received a reply.