Russia warns of catastrophe if Syria reactor hit by U.S. strike

[jakeXT]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday that a military strike on Syria could have catastrophic effects if a missile hit a small reactor near Damascus that contains radioactive uranium.

The Foreign Ministry called on the U.N. nuclear agency to urgently assess the risk as the United States considers military action to punish Syria's government for an alleged gas attack.

"If a warhead, by design or by chance, were to hit the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) near Damascus, the consequences could be catastrophic," a ministry statement said.

It said that nearby areas could be contaminated by highly enriched uranium and that it would be impossible to account for the nuclear material after such a strike, suggesting it could fall into the hands of people who might use it as a weapon.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/04/us-syria-crisis-russia-nuclear-idUSBRE9830XK20130904

[Harmony Blue]

1. Oh jeez

[deutsey]

3. Yeah, that's really comforting, isn't it?

[KoKo]

2. Wouldn't our Excellent US Intelligence be aware of that reactor?

Wouldn't the Pentagon already have that factored in since Obama was ready to target Syria last week...?

Does anyone know what they are doing in DC these days?

[maddezmom]

5. Of course they are aware of it

And the Syrians have used the site to launch scud missiles.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/syrian-rebels-claim-to-have-captured-former-nuclear-reactor-site-1.505509

[jakeXT]

6. Deir al-Zor is like over 400km from Damascus

The Al-Kubar site, around 60 km west of the city of Deir al-Zor, became a focus of international attention in 2007 when foreign news sources reported it was raided by Israel.

[maddezmom]

7. Sorry, I misspoke

My point is intel services and others are more than aware of what is in Syria.

http://www.nti.org/gmap/?country=syria&layers=biological,chemical,missile,nuclear

http://www.wisconsinproject.org/countries/syria/syria-nuclear-milestones.html

[Purveyor]

9. Like they had when they bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the war in Kosovo? lol eom

[jakeXT]

10. Theat would be a Chinese reactor this time /nt

[Sand Wind]

4. Ok thanks Putin, we are taking note of it, now go back to your bear safari. Nt

[uhnope]

13. Putin, until you free Pussy Riot, STFU

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. Putin is negotiating via press release...he's heading swiftly toward a Security Council Resolution

Putin wants a say in target selection because he wants to preserve Russian-Syrian trade.

[Renew Deal]

11. Is that where they are hiding the weapons?

[Purveyor]

12. And the hundreds of dead children that will be put on display once the 'bombing' is over with.

Justification for these pending dead civilians are already being made with claims of Assad moving weapons into civilian neighborhoods.