EU urges Syria to come clean on uranium

VIENNA, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- The European Union expressed its concern that Damascus has failed to provide the necessary information regarding nuclear material at Dair Alzour.

The Israeli air force in 2007 conducted an airstrike on the Dair Alzour facility near al-Kibar in Syria, which intelligence officials claimed was a nuclear reactor of North Korean design under construction since 2001.

Inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency also found traces of uranium particles that were undeclared by Damascus, though it was uncertain if the particles were from the Dair Alzour facility.

"I urge Syria to cooperate with the agency in its verification activities related to the nature of the Dair Alzour site," said IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei in his introductory statement to the Board of Governors in Vienna on Monday.

The EU in statements published Wednesday to the IAEA Board of Governors said it agreed with the agency, noting without the support from Damascus, its commitment to nuclear safeguards "would clearly remain in doubt."

The statement went on the express its concern that Syria has not provided the IAEA with the supporting documentation regarding the uranium particles at the Dair Alzour site.

"The EU therefore calls upon Syria to cooperate with the agency to establish modalities which will allow IAEA access to relevant information and locations while protecting sensitive military information," the statement read.