Libya's stored yellow cake called 'bargaining chip'
LONDON — Despite a pledge to the West, Libya continues to store a
significant amount of uranium.
Western intelligence sources said Libya has maintained about 200 barrels
of yellow cake, or uranium oxide, the raw material required for uranium
enrichment. The yellow cake has been stored at a Libyan military base in
Sabha.
"The Libyans say they're ready to give up the uranium, but it's clear
that [Libyan ruler Moammar] Khaddafy wants to hang on to this — at least as
a bargaining chip for Western nuclear assistance," a Western intelligence
analyst said.
In 2003, Libya pledged to dispose of its uranium, chemical weapons and
medium-range missiles. Britain and the United States removed some missiles,
but failed to retrieve the uranium as well as CW stockpiles, Middle East Newsline reported.
On Aug. 13, the London-based Daily Telegraph reported that the Libyan
uranium was worth about $400 million. The newspaper said Libya has not
agreed to conditions set by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In July, France and Libya signed a memorandum of understanding to build
a Libyan nuclear reactor. The French government said the nuclear assistance
was meant for Libyan water desalination.
