Nuclear team heads for Baghdad

Baghdad, January 25, 2002 (CNN)

 

A team of nuclear experts is due to arrive in Baghdad for an annual inspection of Iraq's uranium stockpiles.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's team is unrelated to U.N. weapons inspections blocked by the Iraqi government since the end of 1998.

But it is essential in verifying that Iraq is not diverting uranium stocks left in the country for use in weapons.

The seven-member team will examine low-enriched uranium sealed by the IAEA after it dismantled Iraq's nuclear programme following the Gulf War.

High-enriched uranium, which could more easily be used in weapons, was removed from Iraq by the agency.

The team will also examine stockpiles of depleted and natural uranium.

For the first time the team includes safety experts who will ensure that the uranium is being properly stored and the containers are not leaking radiation.

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