Russia warns of catastrophe if Syria reactor hit by U.S. strike

[dkf]

Russia warns of catastrophe if Syria reactor hit by U.S. strike
ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA | Wed Sep 4, 2013 2:30pm EDT

ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russia said on Wednesday that a military strike on Syria could have catastrophic effects if a missile hit a small reactor near Damascus that contains radioactive uranium.

The Foreign Ministry called on the U.N. nuclear agency to urgently assess the risk as the United States considers military action to punish Syria's government for an alleged gas attack.

"If a warhead, by design or by chance, were to hit the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) near Damascus, the consequences could be catastrophic," a ministry statement said.

It said nearby areas could be contaminated by highly enriched uranium and that it would be impossible to account for the nuclear material after such a strike, suggesting it could fall into the hands of people who might use it as a weapon.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKBRE9830XQ20130904?irpc=932

[Demo_Chris]

1. Why would Russia say this?

Obviously they know that we are aware of this risk and can easily avoid it. So why say it? There's a message in there somewhere.

[Savannahmann]

2. Considering how stupid some of the arguments for war have been.

I wouldn't assume that we knew anything, would you?

[newfie11]

3. Maybe to let the rest of the world know

Governments know this but the general
public doesn't.

[Bolo Boffin]

4. I expect Putin to find the Kenyan birth certificate before it's all over. n/t

[frylock]

5. because that's what opposition to another bullshit war is all about..

from all sides.

[Bolo Boffin]

6. If the shoe fits, frylock.

Otherwise, no need to go into the shoe store voluntarily.

[frylock]

7. keep fucking that chicken

[Bolo Boffin]

8. No chicken-fucking here.

A crack about Putin is all that was meant to be. Don't jump in front of a brick and blame me for your cracked noggin.

[Union Scribe]

9. That reactor design has 90% enriched uranium fuel.

Putin's all kinds of awful, but nothing compared to the awful if we have an uh-oh near that reactor.

[Bolo Boffin]

10. And if Obama aims those missiles at Tel Aviv, the world will burn.

But pointing that out is as useful to the discussion as pointing out that reactor.

[Union Scribe]

11. That was as nonsensical as I could have hoped for. nt

[Bolo Boffin]

12. Maybe Putin can enlighten us on how bad it would be if Obama did other bad things? n/t