Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD4386
2006-11-28 16:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
(C) IAEA INSPECTION AT TUWAITH NUCLEAR COMPLEX
how-toVZCZCXRO0385 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #4386 3321628 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 281628Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8238 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC RHEBAAA/USDOE WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0034
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004386
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM PINS PNAT PREL
SUBJECT: (C) IAEA INSPECTION AT TUWAITH NUCLEAR COMPLEX
Classified By: Classified by A/Pol-Mil Counselor Apar Sidhu for 1.4 (b)
, (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 004386
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM PINS PNAT PREL
SUBJECT: (C) IAEA INSPECTION AT TUWAITH NUCLEAR COMPLEX
Classified By: Classified by A/Pol-Mil Counselor Apar Sidhu for 1.4 (b)
, (d)
1. (C) On November 20, Pol-Mil officer and Coalition forces
assisted a four-person International Atomic Energy Agency
team, in completing the annual Physical Inventory
Verification of approximately 550 tons of yellow cake uranium
and other accountable nuclear materials including uranium
oxide sludge and fuel rods stored at the Tuwaitha Nuclear
Complex.
2. (SBU) This annual inspection is a requirement under the
provisions of the IAEA safeguards agreement with Iraq.
Yellow cake, milled and refined uranium ore concentrate, is
the first step in the nuclear fuel enrichment cycle needed
for development of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy
production. As such, yellow cake is an internationally
regulated commodity.
3. (C) Inspectors found that the Ministry of Science and
Technology (MoST) and the Tuwaitha Nuclear Complex Facility
Protection Services (FPS) have successfully maintained
accountability and security of reportable nuclear materials
in accordance with IAEA standards. The Tuwaitha complex is
located 5km southeast of Baghdad and houses the Osirak
nuclear reactor bombed by Israel in 1981.
4. (C) Iraq, in coordination with the Department of State,
is attempting to find a responsible international buyer for
Iraq,s yellow cake. Based on the current world spot market,
Iraq's yellow cake has an approximate value of USD 60
million. Given recent armed clashes in the area surrounding
Tuwaitha, it is important that efforts to dispose of the
yellow cake be accelerated. When a buyer is found, a
significant GoI and Coalition effort will be required to
package and ship the material. Until that time, site
security and close monitoring of the Tuwaitha complex must
continue.
5.(U) This cable was cleared by US MISSION UNVIE VIENNA.
Khalilzad
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM PINS PNAT PREL
SUBJECT: (C) IAEA INSPECTION AT TUWAITH NUCLEAR COMPLEX
Classified By: Classified by A/Pol-Mil Counselor Apar Sidhu for 1.4 (b)
, (d)
1. (C) On November 20, Pol-Mil officer and Coalition forces
assisted a four-person International Atomic Energy Agency
team, in completing the annual Physical Inventory
Verification of approximately 550 tons of yellow cake uranium
and other accountable nuclear materials including uranium
oxide sludge and fuel rods stored at the Tuwaitha Nuclear
Complex.
2. (SBU) This annual inspection is a requirement under the
provisions of the IAEA safeguards agreement with Iraq.
Yellow cake, milled and refined uranium ore concentrate, is
the first step in the nuclear fuel enrichment cycle needed
for development of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy
production. As such, yellow cake is an internationally
regulated commodity.
3. (C) Inspectors found that the Ministry of Science and
Technology (MoST) and the Tuwaitha Nuclear Complex Facility
Protection Services (FPS) have successfully maintained
accountability and security of reportable nuclear materials
in accordance with IAEA standards. The Tuwaitha complex is
located 5km southeast of Baghdad and houses the Osirak
nuclear reactor bombed by Israel in 1981.
4. (C) Iraq, in coordination with the Department of State,
is attempting to find a responsible international buyer for
Iraq,s yellow cake. Based on the current world spot market,
Iraq's yellow cake has an approximate value of USD 60
million. Given recent armed clashes in the area surrounding
Tuwaitha, it is important that efforts to dispose of the
yellow cake be accelerated. When a buyer is found, a
significant GoI and Coalition effort will be required to
package and ship the material. Until that time, site
security and close monitoring of the Tuwaitha complex must
continue.
5.(U) This cable was cleared by US MISSION UNVIE VIENNA.
Khalilzad
KHALILZAD