Thursday, 26 September, 2002, 12:00 GMT 13:00 UK
S Africa denies Iraq nuclear link


Britain says Iraq wanted African uranium



By Alistair Leithead
BBC, Cape Town


The South African government says categorically it has not been approached to
sell uranium to Iraq.
South Africa's deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad says his government will ask
the British Government to clarify "vague statements" made in Prime Minister
Tony Blair's Iraq dossier published this week.

Mr Pahad said his government had not been approached, but would be
investigating suggestions that Iraq tried to buy nuclear materials in Africa.

Africa's uranium production in 2001
Niger - 3,096 tonnes
Namibia - 2,239 tonnes
South Africa - 898 tonnes
Source: Uranium Information Centre
The dossier on Iraq's nuclear capability and intentions said that Iraq had
tried to obtain "significant quantities" of uranium from Africa.

South Africa is the only country on the continent which has the capacity to
enrich uranium.

Gabon, Niger and Namibia have all exported unprocessed uranium oxide.

South Africa produces the mineral, but has a domestic nuclear energy and
research programme.

Finger pointed at South Africa

The dossier published by the British Government this week said Saddam Hussein
had tried to acquire significant quantities of uranium from Africa, but did not
provide any further evidence.

Aziz Pahad said the finger had been pointed at South Africa as the only country
on the continent with the capacity to enrich uranium.



He said categorically the government had not supplied uranium to Iraq, nor had
it been approached, and he would actively be seeking clarification from Britain
on the vague statements made in the dossier.

Mr Pahad cited the report from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which he
said showed the dossier had no substance with regard to nuclear material
acquisitions in Africa.

He said that, because of the strict regime in South Africa, it would be very
difficult for private companies within the country to be involved in uranium
trading.


WATCH/LISTEN

ON THIS STORY

Mark Gwozdecky, International Atomic Energy Agency
"One would have to beat the sanctions regime in order to do something like
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See also:


24 Sep 02 | Africa
Iraq 'sought African uranium'

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Iraq weapons dossier at-a-glance

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Blair's case for the prosecution

23 Sep 02 | Panorama
On the trail of Saddam

20 Sep 02 | Business
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02 Mar 01 | Correspondent
Saddam's bomb

Internet links:


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