(C) IAEA INSPECTION AT TUWAITH NUCLEAR COMPLEX

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