Nuclear watchdog might not cope in atomic crisis

[cal04]

Source: The Guardian

· IAEA chief warns states to choose cash or security
· US envoy in North Korea after Bush U-turn on talks

The head of the world's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has warned that the organisation is so under-funded that it would have difficulty responding to a nuclear accident.

In an unusual and angry appeal, Mohamed ElBaradei also claimed that the IAEA no longer had reliable equipment to detect covert nuclear activity, nor did it have consistent funding for its efforts to combat nuclear smuggling.

Dr ElBaradei made his remarks to the IAEA's board of governors, delegates from national governments, on June 15 but the comments were only made public yesterday.

"If an accident were to happen tomorrow, we would be hard pressed to carry out core functions. This is a reality," he said.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/korea/article/0,,2108867,00.html

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. Interesting that this important news goes without a comment for almost an hour on DU

The fact that one of the most important agencies on the planet involved in the monitoring of nuclear activity is underfunded and in distress has not gathered one single bit of conversation troubles me.

Ah well.....It is indeed more important whether or not a longshot will enter the presidential race than the IAEA has the finds necessary to do its job properly.

Sarcasm smiley hopefully not needed

[Chomskyite]

2. Of course Bush is punishing them . . .

. . . for being so truthful about the status of Iraq's nuclear program in early 2003. But I can't understand why Germany and, of all countries to shirk on this, JAPAN, aren't ponying up. That's bizarre.