Syria must not hamper IAEA investigation: US

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

VIENNA (AFP) — The United States warned Syria on Wednesday not to hinder a probe by the UN's atomic watchdog into allegations that Damascus had been building a clandestine nuclear facility.

"It is imperative that Syria fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and in no way hinder the investigation either by further delaying an inspection or by refusing the IAEA unfettered access to any site requested by the IAEA," US ambassador to the Vienna-based watchdog, Gregory Schulte said in a statement sent to AFP.

The IAEA has said it will send a team of experts to Damascus later this month to investigate allegations that a building bombed by Israeli planes in September had been a covert nuclear reactor -- built with North Korea's help -- that was close to...