Scientists Warn Against Selling Even Low Grade Nuclear Fuel to Iraq

French scientists wamed President Franco is Mitterrand today that even low grade nuclear fuel sold to Iraq could result in the production of a nuclear weapon.

The scientists said, in a report just issued, that the construction of a new Iraqi reactor based exclusively on “Caramel,” the code name for a non-military fuel, could “still be highly dangerous” and enable Iraq to eventually build atomic weapons.

The report was released to the press by Georges Amsel, a senior research fellow of the National Scientific Research Center in Paris. It was signed by four other prominent scientists, including another expert on nuclear physics. The five conducted their research into the military capabilities of a new French reactor for Iraq in view of recent French official declarations indicating that Paris is about to replace the Tamuz reactor destroyed by Israeli planes in June 1981.

Amsel’s report stressed: “The use of Caramel does not guarantee that the reactor will be used for the production of peaceful energy only.” The scientists explained that although the low grade fuel is not capable of producing weapons, the addition of a layer of natural uranium could transform it into weapon grade material from which a bomb can be produced.

Foreign Minister Claude Cheysson recently indicated that France is ready to replace the destroyed Osirak reactor on condition that it is based on low grade fuel of the Caramel type. Israel has since repeatedly indicated that it opposes any nuclear aid to Iraq or other Arab countries. Israeli Defense Minister Ariel Sharort told a French weekly last month that Israel “will not permit any Arab country” to develop the means of manufacturing an atomic weapon. Sharon said “We did not allow Iraq to do it and we won’t allow it in any other Arab state.”