WAR: Syria Trying to Transfer Iraqi Nuclear Scientists to Iran, page 1

A group of 12 Iraqi nuclear scientists, armed with CDs of research data from the Iraqi nuclear program, were moved into Syria prior to the invasion of Iraq. In Syria these scientists were given new identities replete with Syrian citizenship papers and fasified birth records. Syria is now trying to transfer these scientists to Iran.

news.telegraph.co.uk
Syria's President Bashir al-Asad is in secret negotiations with Iran to secure a safe haven for a group of Iraqi nuclear scientists who were sent to Damascus before last year's war to overthrow Saddam Hussein.

Western intelligence officials believe that President Asad is desperate to get the Iraqi scientists out of his country before their presence prompts America to target Syria as part of the war on terrorism.

The issue of moving the Iraqi scientists to Iran was raised when President Asad made a visit to Teheran in July. Intelligence officials understand that the Iranians have still to respond to the Syrian leader's request.

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While in Syria, the scientists have been quartered in a secret military installation where they have been conducting research for Syria. What makes this more concerning is that there is evidence Syria has acquired gas centrifuges, probably from North Korea. Syria is already in ill-favor with Washington for doing apparently nothing to stop the inflow of fighters to Iraq.

According to the intelligence, Syria has offered to transfer the 12 scientists, and their families, into Iran along with "a small amount of essential materials"; essentially apparently to their assisting in the development of Iran's nuclear program. In return, Syrian President Asad allegedly wants Iran to share the results of the program.

[edit on 26-9-2004 by John bull 1]