U.S. opposes IAEA risk probe on possible military attacks on Syria

VIENNA. September 10. KAZINFORM - The United States on Monday opposed proposals by Russia for an IAEA analysis of the risks associated with possible military strikes on Syrian targets.
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"It is our view that requests for comprehensive risk analyses of hypothetical scenarios are beyond the IAEA's statutory authority," U.S. Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency Joseph Macmanus told a board of governors' meeting.

The UN nuclear agency received an letter from Russia, asking for a probe into the risk of the possible U.S. military strike on Syria.

Macmanus said the agency has never conducted this type of analysis, which he believed exceed IAEA's mandate and would have far-reaching negative implications.

"We are considering about it," IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano told reporters on Monday, adding the agency had to have broad discussion, as the agency had no experience on such cases.

Russia warned last week that any strike on targets near the Syrian capital which contains radioactive uranium could have catastrophic effects.

Russia opposes U.S.-led punitive military strikes in response to an alleged use of chemical weapons by Syrian government on August 21.

The United Nations sent a team to look into the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but have yet to make any conclusion.

Source: Xinhua

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