The United States on Thursday welcomed a UN check of a Syrian site said to have harboured an almost-built secret nuclear reactor before Israel destroyed it, but called on Damascus not to restrict the investigation.
Syria gave International Atomic Energy Agency sleuths a good look at the isolated desert site during a four-day factfinding trip, but results were inconclusive and further investigation is needed, they said on their return from Syria on Wednesday.
"We welcome the inspection as a first step and stand ready to support the IAEA as it continues its investigation into Syria's clandestine nuclear activities," said Gregory Schulte, US ambassador to the UN nuclear watchdog. "We call on Syria to fully cooperate with the IAEA and in no way hinder the investigation by refusing the IAEA unfettered access to any site or information needed for the investigation," he said in a statement emailed to Reuters.
Syria denies concealing anything from the IAEA in violation of its non-proliferation treaty commitments, saying Israeli warplanes bombed an ordinary military building last September.
Washington says Syria built a camouflaged graphite reactor based on a North Korean design, with Pyongyang's assistance. US nuclear analysts say satellite images show the Syrians swiftly razed the site, removed debris and put up a new building after the bombing in what they regard as a possible cover-up.
The initial scope of the IAEA inquiry was limited by what diplomats said was Syria's refusal to let the inspectors search two or three other sites for any signs of a source of fuel for the reactor, or relevant equipment or facilities.