The Iraqi reactor and the nuclear threat to Israel

The Iraqi overall nuclear program that led to the Israeli bombing of the Tamuz reactor in June 1981 is described. It is claimed that all the components of the program taken together do not make technical and scientific sense unless the intention was the acquisition and production of fissile material, uranium-235 and plutonium-239, that can be used for nuclear weapons production. The claim is proven, apart from consideration of the various aspects of the program, by the declaration of the president of Iraq, shortly after the bombing, openly asking ''peace-loving'' countries of the world to help Iraq build nuclear bombs. The reasons why Italy and France transferred sensitive nuclear technology to Iraq, are analyzed. The evidence given to U.S. government bodies on the inadequate inspection by the IAEA of the Iraq reactor is also cited. (author)