British Nuclear Exports to Iraq Cause Furor

A disclosure that Britain allowed exports of nuclear materials to Iraq until three days after the invasion of Kuwait threatened a new political storm Saturday for the Conservative government of Prime Minister John Major.

An official document showed that materials vital to a nuclear weapons program, including uranium and plutonium, were authorized for export between January, 1987 and Aug. 5, 1990. Iraq invaded Kuwait on Aug. 2, 1990.

However, it was not immediately clear whether any or all of the materials had actually reached Iraq.

A list of the materials was among evidence submitted by the Department of Trade and Industry to a parliamentary committee investigating British exports to Iraq.

A department spokesman said that he was aware of an “incredibly minute” quantity of uranium authorized for export to Iraq during the period as part of a consignment of medical equipment. He was unable to give further details.

But Kenneth Warren, a Conservative member of Parliament chairing the committee, said, “I was astounded at the list and what was on the list.”

“The prime minister should now provide an immediate explanation of how highly dangerous materials, including plutonium, depleted uranium and other nuclear-sensitive materials reached Iraq,” said Gordon Brown, the Labor Party trade and industry spokesman.

Alex Carlile, of the Liberal Democrats, called for the dismissal of responsible ministers.

The controversy came as David Kay, head of an 18-member U.N. nuclear inspection team, arrived in Baghdad and said he will visit Iraqi nuclear energy sites beginning this morning.

Kay’s is the fourth inspection team sent by the U.N. Security Council to determine the extent of Iraq’s nuclear research and production under resolutions that ended the Gulf War and demand the destruction of all Iraqi nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

A report released by the United Nations has determined that Iraq possesses 33 kilograms (72.6 pounds) of enriched uranium, nearly all of which it purchased from other countries, and another pound that it enriched itself in its own nuclear program.

The U.N. report, authored by Hans Blix, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Iraq apparently was developing a nuclear bomb.

Times staff writer James Flanigan in Baghdad contributed to this story.