| That's assuming they have the nerve to come... |
U.N. nuclear inspectors are welcome to return an Iraqi minister said on Tuesday in response to concerns of an "apparent systematic dismantlement" of Saddam Hussein's once-vigorous nuclear program. Science and Technology Minister Rashad Omar was responding to an International Atomic Energy Agency report on Monday that neither Baghdad nor Washington appeared to have noticed the disappearance of nuclear equipment and materials once closely monitored by the agency. "The locations that belong to the Science and Technology ministry are secure and under our control," Omar told Reuters. He said nothing had gone missing since a looting spree after last year's U.S.-led invasion, which the United States and Britain said was to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. Both countries now admit Saddam had no banned weapons. Omar said Tuwaitha, a vast compound south of Baghdad that included Iraq's main nuclear facility, was being turned into a science park. "The IAEA came back one month ago, they inspected the plant and others and didn't say anything. "We are transparent. We are happy for the IAEA or any other organization to come and inspect," he said, adding he had not seen the agency's report to the Security Council. |