IRAQ: IRAQ'S REPORTED INTEREST IN BUYING URANIUM FROM NIGER AND WHETHER ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS ARE AUTHENTIC

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01158682
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: March 15, 2019
• Case Number: F-2018-02113
• Publication Date: March 11, 2003

Approved for Release: 2019/03/08 CO1158682
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03/11/2003
SPWR031103-04
Iraq: Iraq's Reported Interest in Buying Uranium From Niger and Whether Associated
Documents are Authentic
We do not dispute the IAEA Director General's conclusion�last Friday before the UN
Security Council�that documents on Iraq's agreement to buy uranium from Niger are not
authentic.
The US last month provided the documents to the IAEA in response to its request for information
on Iraqi attempts to buy foreign uranium but expressed concern about their veracity.
� A foreign government provided us the documents suggesting that Niger as of early 2001
had planned to send Iraq several tons of "pure uranium."
n several occasions has cautioned IAEA inspectors that available information on this issue
was fragmentary and unconfirmed and early last month told them, "We could not confirm these
reports and have questions regarding some specific claims. Nonetheless, we are concerned that
these reports may indicate Baghdad has attempted to secure an unreported source of uranium
yellowcake for a nuclear weapons program."
� A centerpiece of the British white paper last fall was UK concern over Iraqi interest in
foreign uranium. Given the fragmentary nature of the reporting
Approved for Release: 2019/03/08 CO1158682