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U.N. Atomic Energy Team Inspects Site In Syria

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The Associated Press

Published: June 23, 2008

VIENNA, Austria - U.N. nuclear sleuths probing allegations Syria is hiding secret atomic activities expressed hope Sunday that a trip to Damascus will be the start of a thorough investigation of the accusations.

International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors face a daunting task. Syrian officials are expected to place strict limits on where they will be able to go and what they will see on their three-day visit.

IAEA Deputy Director General Olli Heinonen was optimistic about the mission's chances before flying to Damascus. "I am sure I will be able to return," he said, adding that he and his two-man team hope to start to "establish the facts this evening."
Damascus denies working on a secret nuclear program. But Washington hopes the U.N agency team will come back with evidence to support U.S. intelligence that the structure hit by Israel in September was a nearly completed plutonium-producing reactor.

If so, the trip could mark the start of a massive atomic agency investigation similar to the probe Iran has been subjected to over the past five years. The investigation also could draw in countries like North Korea, which Washington says helped Damascus and Iran. Media reports have also linked Iran to Syria's nuclear strivings.

Syria agreed to allow the nuclear inspectors to visit the bombed Al Kibar site in early June. But it has said three other locations are off-limits.

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