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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Syria: Ex-general criticises Damascus for blocking visit by nuclear watchdog |
| 2009-02-26 |
| (AKI) - A retired Syrian general has criticised a decision by the country's Atomic Energy Commission to refuse the United Nations' nuclear watchdog access to inspect the al-Kibar supected nuclear research centre bombed by Israel in September 2007. Musa al-Zaabi, said the decision by Ibrahim Othman, head of the commission, was a "grave error". "Western countries and the International Atomic Energy Commission will interpret the Syrian refusal as proof that Syria is hiding something and is working on a banned military programme," Zaabi told Adnkronos International (AKI). "It would be right and proper for Syria to invite the IAEA, European countries and also the United States to have serious dialogue about this matter." The former general appealed to Syrian leaders in Damascus to "follow what Iran did with its nuclear programme paving the way for lengthy dialogue." "Thhere would be nothing bad about Syria asking western countries for technical assistance for a peaceful nuclear programme, if it really wanted to head in this direction," Zaabi said. Regarding scientific aspects of the programme, he said there was nothing to discuss. "Laboratories, analyses and scientific instruments exist that confirm or deny every doubt and hypothesis, and you cannot be skeptical about these results," he stated. "It would have been better for Syria to provide the IAEA with responses and realistic proof that would not have given rise to doubts or other accusations,"Zaabi said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Heads I win, Tails you lose, either the inspectors find what they don't want found, or they refuse and prove there really was a nuke plan there. By choosing the ban option, the world still thinks the same, but without proof. |
| Posted by: Rednek Jim 2009-02-26 18:48 |