IAEA report raises new concerns over Khan ring

The U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency has given a clean bill of health to Libya in a new report that raises fresh concerns about the smuggling network that supplied illicit nuclear technology and know-how to Libya, Iran and North Korea.

The smuggling ring led by A.Q. Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, had access to "a substantial amount of sensitive information related to the fabrication of a nuclear weapon," says the confidential IAEA report, a copy of which was obtained by Nukes and Spooks.

Agency investigators looking into Libya's now-defunct nuclear weapons program determined that the materials included documentation on how to shape highly enriched uranium metal into the explosive core of a warhead. The information was "more up to date than . . . a related document found in Iran," the report said.

"Much of the sensitive information coming from the network existed in electronic form, enabling easier use and dissemination," said the report. "Clearly this is a matter of serious concern to the Agency."

Officials involved in Iran's uranium enrichment program have confirmed to IAEA investigators that they had extensive dealings with the Khan ring. But they insisted that they never asked for or used weapons-related information that that it provided, and Tehran contends that the program it kept hidden for 18 years is strictly for peaceful purposes.

IAEA investigators began working to confirm details of Libya's nuclear weapons program after the Tripoli government renounced the effort in 2003. The latest report, which provides the most detailed description to date of the Libyan effort, is the first on the subject produced by the agency since 2004.

"Libya has stated that it took no concrete steps in connection with the information made available to it on weapons design and fabriation" said the report. "Based on an assessment of Libya's industrial capabilities, and on all other information available to the Agency, the Agency has concluded that Libya's statement in this regard is not inconsistent with the Agency's findings."

The report is to be discussed by the IAEA's 35-nation board later this month. Another agenda item will be an update on Iran's nuclear program. One thing about that report is certain: there is no chance of Iran getting a cleaning bill of health.

Read the new IAEA report: http://media.mcclatchydc.com/smedia/2008/09/12/16/800-Landay-Libya.source.prod_affiliate.91.pdf