Kazakhstan denies truck concealed radioactive load

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Kazakhstan denies truck concealed radioactive load

TASHKENT, April 8 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan denied allegations by 
neighbouring Uzbekistan that radioactive substances were 
concealed in a truck that was stopped by Uzbek customs officials 
on its way to Pakistan. 

Kazakhstan's ambassador to Tashkent Umurzak Uzbekov told a 
news briefing late on Friday that some parts of the truck's load of 
scrap metal were contaminated, but he dismissed an Uzbek 
statement that 10 containers carried radioactive substances. 

The nature of the substances was not specified and the metal was 
returned to Kazakhstan for further tests. 

``Contrary to reports by the Uzbek customs committee, no lead 
containers with radioactive materials were found when the scrap 
metal was unloaded,'' Uzbekov said. 

A Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman denied involvement in the 
incident, which has strained already tense relations between 
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. 

``The government of Pakistan has nothing to do with this episode. 
We are not in any way connected with this shipment. This is 
obviously an attempt to falsely implicate Pakistan, which we 
condemn,'' he said. 

Uzbekov conceded some parts of the cargo emitted radiation far 
above safety levels, but said tests by Kazakh experts showed this 
was due to particle deposits on the inside of pipes used by a 
uranium mining company. 

Yerlan Kozhagapanov, head of customs for the Southern 
Kazakhstan province bordering Uzbekistan, told the same news 
briefing that Uzbek officials had most likely mistaken old furnaces 
for containers used for storing radioactive materials. 

He said Uzbek customs had distorted the facts and had delayed 
informing their Kazakh counterparts about the seizure. But he also 
blamed Kazakh authorities for certifying the cargo as safe. He 
promised an investigation into the case. 

In recent weeks Kazakhstan has also protested what it calls 
arbitrary action by Uzbekistan in demarcating the borders between 
the states. 

It says Uzbek checkpoints have been set up inside Kazakh 
territory. Uzbekistan has declined to comment. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandy Perle					Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100   				    	
Director, Technical				Extension 2306 				     	
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Personal Website:  http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205
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