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Libya sends US last nuclear equipment
Libyaâs international rehabilitation took another step forward at the weekend when a ship carrying the last known remains of its nuclear weapons programme set off for the United States. US officials said the 500-tonne cargo included centrifuge parts used to enrich uranium, and equipment from the former uranium conversion facility. "It contained all the known remaining equipment associated with Libyaâs nuclear weapons programme ... Itâs coming to the US. Weâre not saying where for security reasons," said Sean McCormack, a White House spokesman. "I can say no more." Earlier shipments of Libyan nuclear-related equipment were taken to the department of energyâs Oak Ridge laboratory in Tennessee, and are said to have been destroyed. Most likely thatâs where this shipment is headed. The ship that left for the US on Saturday is also carrying all of Libyaâs longer-range missiles, including five Scuds, their launchers and all related equipment. Bet they use these to test ABM systems on. This week Libya is expected to sign an agreement accepting rigorous weapons inspection procedures, including snap checks by the International Atomic Energy Agency. American and Libyan officials are also discussing ways of retraining the countryâs weapons scientists for peaceful purposes. In a full report to the UN on Libyaâs chemical weapons programmes, Tripoli last Friday declared a 20-tonne stockpile of mustard gas and precursors for nerve gas. Colonel Muammar Gadafyâs decision to give up weapons of mass destruction, announced last December, has brought a step-by-step response from the US towards lifting sanctions. Posted by: Steve 2004-03-08 |
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