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| Abstract Number: | 19970290 |
| Headline: | Beryllium Removed From Bank For Unknown Location |
| Date: | 13 May 1997 |
| Bibliography: | FBIS-TAC-97-133 13 May 1997 |
| Author: | |
| Orig. Src.: | International Service (Vilnius) |
| Case: | |
| Material: | beryllium |
Abstract: On 12 May 1997, about four tons of beryllium worth $10 million were transported from the vaults of the now-collapsed Joint-Stock Innovation Bank (LAIB) in Vilnius, Lithuania, to a secret destination. The beryllium is being secured as evidence for a renewed investigation into the activities of LAIB [Note: Reports one year ago indicated that the beryllium was removed from LAIB vaults in May 1996. See entry from 15 May 1996, Baltic News Service.] In May 1993, after discovering several boxes of beryllium in the bank's vaults, Lithuanian authorities charged LAIB with illegally storing radioactive materials. The charges were later dropped because police could not establish criminal activity. The beryllium in question belongs to the Russian company ANI. In 1995, concern over the beryllium was raised when U.S. journalists reported that it may have been illegally obtained and intended for sale to North Korea for its nuclear program.
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