Article

2006-08-06 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

IRAN tried to import uranium for its nuclear program from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the shipment was intercepted in Tanzania, The Sunday Times reported today, citing a senior Tanzanian customs officer.
A huge shipment of uranium 238 bound for the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas was intercepted on October 22, 2005, by customs officials in Tanzania making a routine check, the officer told the newspaper.

The British weekly also cited a UN report, due to be considered by the Security Council, which said there was "no doubt" that a large shipment of uranium 238 was transported from the Lubumbashi mines in the DR Congo.

The customs official said the uranium shipment was found hidden in a consignment of coltan, a rare mineral, which was destined for smelting in Kazakhstan after being transported through Bandar Abbas.

"There were several containers due to be shipped and they were all routinely scanned with a Geiger counter," he said.

"This one was very radioactive. When we opened the container it was full of drums of coltan. Each drum contains about 50kg of ore. When the first and second rows were removed the ones after that were found to be drums of uranium," he said.

"The container was put in a secure part of the port and it was later taken away, by the Americans, I think, or at least with their help. We have all been told not to talk to anyone about this."

The Sunday Times also quoted a source with access to security service assessments as saying that there was "great concern" about Iranian sleeper cells in Britain conducting reconnaissance at nuclear power plants in preparation for a possible attack.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said today his country would not suspend uranium enrichment, in a clear rejection of a UN resolution calling for a freeze of the sensitive nuclear work.

Iran insists it wants to enrich uranium only to make reactor fuel for power stations but the US and other countries suspect Tehran wants the capacity to make weapons-grade uranium.

The UN resolution requires Iran to halt uranium enrichment and other sensitive nuclear fuel work by August 31 or face the prospect of sanctions.

Posted by tipper 2006-08-06 08:45|| || Front Page|| [12 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Smuggling a few containers of yellowcake?

Desperate. The Iranian mines must be nearly depleted?

Posted by john 2006-08-06 12:11|| 2006-08-06 12:11|| Front Page Top

#2 Is the tea by the pool at the hotel cold? I'd be happy to check this story out.

Posted by Ambassador "Honest" Joe Wilson">Ambassador "Honest" Joe Wilson 2006-08-06 12:20|| 2006-08-06 12:20|| Front Page Top

#3 That's OK Wilson. You can do your Muslim terrorist PR work someplace else. Like at the DNC headquarters.

Posted by Icerigger 2006-08-06 15:37|| 2006-08-06 15:37|| Front Page Top

#4 The Iranian uranium is only about a third as concentrated as the stuff from the Congo. It's much easier to use Congolese uranium for a bomb than Iranian uranium, which needs extensive refinement. Also, most of the Congolese uranium is already partially enriched. It's radioactive enough to use in a crude "dirty bomb".

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2006-08-06 15:51|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2006-08-06 15:51|| Front Page Top

#5 ...IIRC the uranium in the first three US atomic bombs came from the Congo because of its relative purity.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2006-08-06 18:34|| 2006-08-06 18:34|| Front Page Top

#6 This has got to be the dumbest thing they've ever done.

Why would they do this? Did the US bait the Iranians with Congolese help?

Suppose there will be any consequences?

Posted by gorb 2006-08-06 18:47|| 2006-08-06 18:47|| Front Page Top

#7 Congolese?

Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner available?

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-08-06 19:14|| 2006-08-06 19:14|| Front Page Top

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