Inspectors Doubt Iraq Capability to Make Atom Bomb

U.N. inspectors investigating Iraq’s nuclear potential said Wednesday that they now believe it has less enriched uranium than previously reported--and probably did not have enough to make an atomic bomb.

The officials also said Iraq now appears to be freely releasing information on its nuclear program.

U.N. nuclear inspectors told the Security Council this week that while Iraq had developed formidable uranium enrichment facilities, it wasn’t ready to make a bomb at the start of the Gulf War.

During the war many of the facilities were damaged, the inspectors said, and the Iraqis have destroyed other equipment since.

Dimitri Perricos, leader of a 37-member inspection team from the International Atomic Energy Agency, said it appears from the new information that reports Iraq had 88 pounds of highly enriched uranium were wrong.

He said Iraq’s claim of having slightly more than a pound of slightly enriched uranium appeared to be closer to the truth. Officials in the past have said that about 50 pounds of highly enriched uranium would be needed for a bomb.