If anyone in Radsafe has seen an update of the story, I would very much appreciate a copy, if possible, please.
In particular, I would like to know what the quantity of Cs-137 really was.
Has the IAEA said anything about this yet ? ( Jose ?)
Than you.
Jaro
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Laos denies smuggling of radioactive material
BANGKOK, June 18 (Reuters) - Communist Laos said on Wednesday that a
stash of radioactive caesium-137 seized by Thai police last week had
not been smuggled through its territory.
Thai police, tipped off by U.S. customs agents, said on Friday they
had arrested a Thai national with 30 kg (66 lb) of caesium-137,
possibly intended for use in militant attacks in the form of a "dirty bomb."
Thai officials said the suspect had confessed to smuggling the
caesium from neighbouring Laos and more was being kept there. They
said it was believed to have originated in Russia.
But Laotian Ambassador to Thailand Hiem Phommachanh told Reuters
authorities investigated the report and found nothing.
"This substance is not found in Laos," Hiem said. "Whenever there is
bad news in Thailand, Laos is brought in and associated with it."
A "dirty bomb" is made of conventional explosives and salted with
radioactive isotopes. When it explodes, it spreads radioactive material over a wide area.
The Thai capital Bangkok is hosting an Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) meeting from October 20-21 to be attend by world
leaders, including U.S. President George W. Bush.
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Saturday Muslim
militants were planning attacks on embassies in Thailand to coincide with the summit.
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