/AL QAIM SUPERPHOSPHATE FTLZR PLNT/[ (b)(1) sec

File: 961031_950925_80316637.txt
Page: 80316637
Total Pages: 13
USAFE EARLY BIRD 90-212

Filename:80316637
NNNN
TEXT:            
ENVELOPE CDSN = LGX298 MCN = 90312/07538 TOR = 903120413
PTTSZYUW RUEKJCS0062 3120413--RUEALGX.
ZNY 
HEADER P 080413Z NOV 90
FM JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
INFO RUEALGX/SAFE
P 080450Z NOV 90
FM UTAIS RAMSTEIN AB GE//INOA//
TO AIG 12914



SECTION 01 OF 02


BODY SUBJ: USAFE EARLY BIRD 90-212




	[   (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4)   ]







ITEM 1. IRAQ: TUWAITHA NUCLEAR RESEARCH CENTER 
	THE TUWAITHA NUCLEAR RESEARCH CENTER IS THE FOCAL POINT OF 
IRAQ'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM. THE CENTER IS PROBABLY INVOLVED IN 
BAGHDAD'S URANIUM EFFORT AND MAY ALSO BE INVOLVED IN BIOLOGICAL 
WARFARE-RELATED RESEARCH. TUWAITHA HAS TWO OPERATIONAL REACTORS: A 
[   (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4)   ] BUILT RESEARCH REACTOR AND A [   
(b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4)   ] BUILT TRAINING REACTOR.  THE REACTOR 
BUILDING HOUSES THE [   (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4)   ]-SUPPLIED OSIRAK 
(A RESEARCH REACTOR BOMBED BY ISRAEL IN 1981). IT HAS BEEN 
REBUILT, BUT THERE IS CURRENTLY NO EVIDENCE OF RENEWED OPERATIONS. 
THE ONLY OTHER CONFIRMED NUCLEAR-RELATED SITE IN IRAQ IS URANIUM 
PROCESSING FACILITY AT AL QAIM [   (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4)   ] 
COLOCATED WITH A FERTILIZER PLANT NEAR THE SYRIAN BORDER.

	TUWAITHA IS ONE OF THE MOST HEAVILY DEFENDED FACILITIES IN
THE MIDDLE EAST. IT IS CURRENTLY PROTECTED BY AIR DEFENSE WEAPON
SYSTEMS OF BOTH SOVIET AND WESTERN ORIGIN. [   (b)(1) sec 
1.3(a)(4)   ]



	HUSAYN BELIEVES THAT A NUCLEAR WEAPON CAPABILITY IS ESSENTIAL 
TO MEET IRAQ'S SECURITY NEEDS AND TO FURTHER ITS REGIONAL 
AMBITIONS. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IRAQ HAS THE TECHNICAL COMPETENCE,
WHEN COMBINED WITH CLANDESTINELY OBTAINED FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY AND
ASSISTANCE, TO DEVELOP A NUCLEAR WEAPON BY THE LATE 1990'S.  
HOWEVER, WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS IN IRAQ, IT IS DOUBTFUL 
HUSAYN IS CURRENTLY PURSUING FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FOR HIS NUCLEAR 
CAPABILITY.
[   (b)(2)   ][   (b)(6)   ]





	[   (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4)   ]