6 January 2004
The United States and Britain have stated bluntly that Syria must relinquish its weapons of mass destruction or "face ostracism—even if neighboring Israel keeps its nuclear arms." This is in response to an earlier announcement by President Bashar Assad that Syria would not dispose of its WMD until and unless Israel does the same. The two western countries have made clear to Syria that abandoning its chemical and biological weapons constitutes the price of better relations.
—Anton La Guardia, "Assad Given Weapons Ultimatum," The Daily Telegraph (London), 7 January 2004.

9 January 2004
According to National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice, the Bush administration is in the process of investigating a report that Iraq spirited its WMD across the border into Syria before the U.S. invasion in March 2003. Rice adds however that "I don't think we are at the point that we can make a judgment on the issue. There hasn't been any hard evidence that such a thing happened."
—Mike Allen, "Syria Role on Iraqi Arms Is Studied," The Washington Post, 10 January 2004.

16 January 2004
Commenting on Syria, Secretary of State Colin Powell told Britain's Sky News that the United States has not characterized it "as one of the members of the axis of evil but we are concerned about some of Syria's policies with respect to supporting terrorist activity, with respect of what they might be doing with weapons of mass destruction."
—"Powell Renews Call on Syria to End Support for Terrorism, WMD," Agence France Presse, 16 January 2004.

27 January 2004
Syrian ambassador Mikail Wehbe, speaking at a UN disarmament conference in Geneva, repeated the Syrian demand for a WMD-free Middle East "without exception".
—"Syria Reiterated Demand for Nuclear-Free Middle East," Agence France Presse, 27 January 2004.

April 2004
Middle East Newsline alleges that a report suggesting that WMD parts have been transported to Khartoum, Sudan from Syria since January of this year — has been verified by sources who also contest the assertion that Sudanese President al-Bashir is unaware of the shipments.
—Jason Fuchs, "Iran's Cleric Push in Iraq as Syria Moves its WMD," Defense & Foreign Affairs' Strategic Policy, April 2004, p.20.

1 April 2004
Following discussions with his Syrian counterpart and President al-Assad, Foreign Minister Bernard Bot of the Netherlands affirms that the European Union expects to find a compromise on the WMD issue that will satisfy all the parties to a pending association accord.
—"EU, Syria Ready to Compromise on Banned Weapons: Dutch FM," Agence France Presse, 1 April 2004.

8 April 2004
In addition to expressing concern over the possibility of Syria having been a customer of Pakistan's Dr. Khan, U.S. officials point to two IAEA programs that could prove helpful to determined scientists in Syria. The atomic agency has helped the Syrians procure hot cells to process for purposes of medical imaging; in addition, it assisted in efforts to produce high-purity phosphoric acid from phosphate by extracting uranium. According to David Albright, head of the Institute for Science and International Security, the Syrian hot cells are "larger than necessary" and any uranium extracted would not be subject to IAEA scrutiny. Albright adds: "It's a long shot...but it raises questions about the Syrians' intentions."
—Carla Anne Robbins, "Helping Syria Get Hot Cells," Wall Street Journal, 8 April 2004, p. A1.

9 April 2004
According to Ha'aretz, a former Syrian spy has revealed that Damascus is in possession of sensitive information regarding Israel's Dimona reactor, including photos from inside the reactor compound.
—"Ex-Spy: Syria Has Data on Israel's Reactor," United Press International, 9 April 2004.

30 April 2004
White House spokesman Scott McClellan, speaking with reporters, confirms that the United States will not balk at implementing the Syria Accountability Act, imposing sanctions on Syria, unless there is an effort to seriously address WMD concerns and support for terrorism.
—Olivier Knox, "US: Possible Syria Sanctions "Very Soon"," Agence France Presse, 30 April 2004.

7 May 2004
Citing an unidentified U.S. administration source, an Israeli TV correspondent alleges that Syria—though not yet nuclear-capable—evinced interest in acquiring nuclear parts via a "leak" in the A.Q. Khan proliferation ring.
—"Israeli TV Alleges Nuclear Parts Reaching Syria," BBC, 7 May 2004.

11 May 2004
President Bush enumerates the reasons the United States has approved sanctions against Syria, accusing it of "supporting terrorism, continuing its occupation of Lebanon, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and undermining United States and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq...."
—Krishnadev Calamur, "U.S. Slaps Sanctions on Syria," United Press International, 11 May 2004.

13 May 2004
EU foreign ministers are set to resume talks with Syria on their pending trade agreement next week.
—Ian Black, "Europe to Seek Syria Trade Deal," The Guardian (London), 13 May 2004.

17 May 2004
The Syria-EU trade accord remains unsigned at a meeting for EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Britain, Germany and the Netherlands continue to hold out for tougher wording of the deal's WMD clause.
—Judy Dempsey, "Three Countries Demand Tougher WMD Clause in Syria Trade Deal," The Financial Times, 18 May 2004.

26 May 2004
European officials approve text regarding the WMD clause to be included in the trade accord with Syria. No date has been fixed for resuming negotiations however.
—"EU Agrees Syria Deal, Plans Renewed Talks With Damascus," Deutsche Presse Agentur, 26 May 2004.

15 June 2004
According to a report published in the London-based Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, referencing "well informed European diplomatic sources," the signing of the EU-Syria agreement has been taken off the agenda of the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg today, there being no new reason to discuss it. According to these same sources, the European Union is considering sending a team to Damascus within the next three weeks to "persuade them of the need to sign the partnership agreement that includes the disputed paragraph."
—"EU Partnership Agreement With Syria Dropped From Foreign Ministers' Agenda," BBC, 17 June 2004.

4 July 2004
According to a report published by the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper, EU High Representative for WMD affairs Javier Solana will be visiting Damascus 14 and 15 July to discuss the revisions to the trade accord agreed by EU representatives on 26 May.
—"Talks to Resume on EU Association Agreement With Syria," BBC, 5 July 2004.

4 July 2004
Investigators tracking nuclear technology that proliferated via the A.Q. Khan network suggest that Syria may have procured centrifuges capable of enriching uranium to produce a bomb.
—Sarah Baxter, "CIA Fears Syria Could Go Nuclear," Sunday Times (London), 4 July 2004.

9 July 2004
An unidentified senior diplomat says there is no evidence to warrant reporting Syria or Saudi Arabia to the IAEA board of governors, in connection with the A.Q. Khan nuclear technology proliferation network.
—George Jahn, "Head of UN Nuclear Agency Says More Than 20 International Companies Supplied Black Market," The Associated Press, 9 July 2004.

10 September 2004
A Jerusalem Post article stresses growing international concern regarding Syria's possible acquisition of nuclear weapons, "perhaps with the assistance of its Iranian ally." The writer refers to statements by U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton that "several other" [unspecified] customers had attempted to acquire nuclear technology from the Khan network besides North Korea, Libya, and Iran. The writer also points to Khan's alleged visits to Damascus in 1997 and 1998 to lecture on nuclear materials, suggesting that in 2001 Syria moved the meeting venue to Iran to avoid exposure of its contacts with the WMD black marketer. Recent reports allege that Syria may have acquired gas centrifuges, thereby potentially allowing it to produce enriched uranium.
—Douglas Davis, "A Syrian Bomb?" The Jerusalem Post, 10 September 2004.

26 September 2004
Western intelligence officials allege that President Bashir al-Asad is attempting to move 12 Iraqi nuclear technicians from Syria to Iran. They were allegedly sent to Damascus, provided with new identities, and hidden at an undisclosed military installation prior to the current war in Iraq. The deal Asad proposes purportedly includes transferring the Iraqi scientists to Teheran to assist their counterparts in developing atomic weapons; the results of the research would then be shared with Syria.
—Con Coughlin, "Syria Brokers Secret Deal to Send Atomic Weapons Scientists to Iran," Sunday Telegraph (London), 26 September 2004.

30 September 2004
Asked if Syria was a client of A.Q. Khan's nuclear network, IAEA head El Baradei responds "we have seen no indications."
—Mohamed El Baradei, "Still Time for Diplomacy?" interview by Tim Sebastian, HARDtalk, BBC News, 30 September 2004.

21 October 2004
A year-long dispute between Syria and the European Union is apparently resolved with agreement on a WMD clause. The clause provides for cooperation in countering terrorism and WMD proliferation, including their means of delivery. The accord must now be approved by 25 EU foreign ministers scheduled to meet in December 2004.
—"EU Agreement Allows Syria To Keep WMD," WorldTribune.com, 21 October 2004.

10 November 2004
An unidentified U.S. official reveals that the Bush administration is looking at imposing further sanctions on Syria, citing the latter's reluctance to cease support for terrorism and for its alleged WMD activities. A decision is expected within the next few weeks.
—"Bush Administration Considers New Syrian Sanctions," Global Security Newswire, 10 November 2004.

21 December 2004
Xinhua reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will continue talks with the U. S. and Israel regarding sanctions and accusations of seeking weapons of mass destruction. Washington states that Damascus is harboring terrorists, trying to acquire weapons of mass destruction, and is not stopping border infiltration into Iraq.
—"Yearender: Syria seeks multi-channels to ease US, Israeli pressure," Xinhua, 21 December 2004.

2 January 2005
Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi states in his interview with Al-Jazeera satellite TV, that "Syria has no nuclear programme or nuclear weapons, but that it has the right 'to liberate its land.'"
—"Al-Qadhafi says Libya 'Served World Peace' by Halting Nuclear Programme," Global Security Newswire, 2 January 2005.

17 January 2005
Officials from the Bush Administration state that their suspicion of WMD being transported out of Iraq by President Saddam Hussein has turned out to be untrue. Intelligence and congressional officials claim "they have not seen any information—never 'a piece,' said one—indicating that WMD or significant amounts of components and equipment were transferred from Iraq to neighboring Syria, Jordan, or elsewhere." The official report of the transfer of WMD to Syria, Jordan, or other countries will be reported in February.
—"U.S. intelligence found no evidence WMD moved from Iraq," Associated Press, 17 January 2005.

24 January 2005
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Moscow today to begin negotiations with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Russia is interested in taking a bigger role in the Middle East. The two leaders will discuss resolving the conflict between Israel and Syria. They will also discuss Russia's "pledge" to control "Syria's military program in order to prevent the development of weapons of mass destruction."
—"Imperial optimism," RusData Dialine, 24, January 2005.

25 January 2005
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agrees with Syria's proposal of creating a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Lavrov states he would like to see U.S.-Syria relations improve through dialogue instead of threats. He states that Russia is "concerned by the situation that has been developing around Syria, recently. It is important to prevent the appearance of additional hotbeds of tension in that region that is filled with crises as it is."
—"Russian Minister Voices Concern over US Claims of Syria's Links to Extremism," Global Security Newswire, 25 January 2005.

25 January 2005
Israeli Mossad Chief Meir Dagan states that "there must always be an intelligence effort to check the recent information on the start of nuclear programs in Syria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia." He adds that there maybe clues that Syria is starting a project utilizing nuclear materials.
—"Mossad chief, Iran will go nuclear this year," The Jerusalem Post, 25 January 2005.

27 January 2005
A joint declaration signed by Russia and Syria states that Moscow will oversee Syria's defense program in order to halt the production of weapons of mass destruction.
—"Is Russia playing Soviet games," The Jerusalem Post, 27 January 2005.

29 January 2005
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has finished four days of successful talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow. In regards to their discussion about Iran, al-Assad states that both parties agreed that "in accordance with international law any country has the right to possess a peaceful nuclear reactor...we take the same approach as Russia on the question of stationing nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction."
—"President Al-Asad says Syrian forces will remain in Lebanon," BBC, 29 January 2005.

4 February 2005
In his State of the Union Address, President George Bush says, that in order "to promote peace in the broader Middle East, we must confront regimes that continue to harbour terrorists and pursue weapons of mass murder," singling out both Syria and Iran. He stated that the Syrian government needs to take action in preserving peace and freedom in the region.
—"Bush Warns Syria, Iran," Global Security Newswire, 4 February 2005.

7 April 2005
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter states that the United States fails to acknowledge how Israel's nuclear program encourages countries such as Syria, Iran, and Egypt to pursue nuclear weapons.
—"Saving Non-Proliferation," Windsor Star, 7 April 2005.

14 April 2005
U.S. Representative of the House Committee on International Relations and House Armed Services Committee Edward R. Royce states that the United States should worry that the technology transfer acquired from China by A.Q. Khan could have been proliferated to Syria.
—"U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) holds a joint hearing with the House International Relations Committee on E.U. weapons sales to China," FDCH Political Transcript, 14 April 2005.

26 April 2005
The Iraq Survey Group that was in charge of the search for WMD in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein releases a report declaring it has found no evidence supporting the claim that Iraqi arms are hidden in Syria. The findings of the report contradict the previous sentiment of U.S. officials who had believed some WMD from Iraq had been moved to Syria prior to 2003.
—"Inspectors Find No Proof Iraq Hid Weapons in Syria," Reuters, 26 April 2005.

27 April 2005
Charles Duelfer, the chief weapons inspector of the Iraqi Survey Group said that he cannot rule out that Iraqi weapons of mass destruction have been transferred to Syria, although all senior Iraqi detainees involved in Saddam's security and weapons programs "uniformly denied any knowledge of residual WMD that could have been secreted to Syria."
—Rowan Scarborough, "CIA can't rule out WMD move to Syria," Washington Times, 27 April 2005.

Early 2005
Western diplomats state that Pakistani nuclear Scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan gave lectures about "nuclear issues," between late 1997 to early 1998 in Damascus.
—"The Growing Syrian Missile Threat," Middle East Quarterly, Fall 2005.

29 September 2005
Cuba, Syria, and Belarus have become part of the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board.
—"Cuba, Syria, Belarus join IAEA board, strengthening anti-U.S. front," Associated Press, 29 September 2005.

12 December 2005
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad states every country has an inalienable right to peaceful nuclear technology including Iran.
—"Nuclear-Iran-States," ARABIA, 12 December 2005.

12 December 2005
In an interview by Russian TV, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad states that in order for the Middle East to be a nuclear weapons-free zone, Israel must give up its nuclear weapons.
—"Syrian President Interviewed by Russian TV on Al-Hariri Probe, Iraq, other issues," BBC, 12 December 2005.

4 January 2006
A 55-page intelligence assessment report formulated by British, French, German, and Belgian agencies states that Syria and Pakistan have been purchasing technology and chemicals which are used to enrich uranium and create their rocket programs.
—"Secret services say Iran is trying to assemble a nuclear missile: Documents seen by Guardian details web of front companies and middlemen," The Guardian, 4 January 2006.

13 May 2006
On 13 May 2006, a de-classified report to the U.S. Congress on the acquisition of technology relating to weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional munitions for the period 1 January to 31 December 2004 indicates that the A.Q. Khan Network offered nuclear technology and hardware to Syria. The report further states that in 2004 Syria continued to develop civilian nuclear capabilities, including uranium extraction technology and hot cell facilities, all potentially applicable to a weapons program.
—Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions, 1 January to 31 December 2004, Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

27 September 2006
Syrian Deputy Petroleum Minister, Dr. Hasan Zeinab, denied claims made in a report by Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyasa of an ongoing nuclear program supervised by Iranian and Iraqi scientists. Zeinab went on to assert that he was in favor of the commencement of such a program in the future to support growing Syrian energy concerns.
—"Syria Aspires to Go Nuclear, Denies Ongoing Program," The Media Line, 27 September 2006.

27 October 2006
In an interview with Tokyo-based Asahi Shimbun, Syria President Bashar al-Assad stresses that Syria is not seeking to become a nuclear power. He argues that Damascus' ultimate aim is a nuclear-free Middle East. Al-Assad pushes for greater application of international pressure on Israel to abandon its nuclear arsenal and voices support for Iran's international right to develop a nuclear program for "peaceful purposes." He also criticized the United States' reluctance to accept Syria's offer of entering into dialogue.
—Daiji Sadamori, "Assad: Syria Not Seeking To Be Nuclear State," Asahi Shimbun, 27 October 2006.

12 January 2007
Syrian officials highlight the nuclear energy option to meet increased energy consumption in the country. Officials have stated that nuclear energy could provide a feasible energy alternative in light of concerns of oil depletion and ten percent annual increase in electricity use. Syria has signed deals with Kuwait, Venezuela, and Iran to build refineries, as well as oil exploration deals with international companies to maintain its current level of production until 2025. However, official sources hint that the production decreases may occur before then. Lately, Syrian Electricity Minister Ahmed Khalid al-Ali has stated that the nuclear energy option was "not out of [Syria's] sight" to meet increasing energy demands, and Syrian Deputy Oil Minister Hasan Zaynab declared that nuclear energy was the only alternative to oil.
—Syria: Nuclear Energy Alternative Proposed Amidst Concerns of Oil Depletion, Increased Electrical Consumption," OSC Report, in Open Source Center Document GMP20070112388001, 12 January 2007

12 September 2007
American officials confirm that Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on a target inside Syria on September 6. However, the nature of the target and extent of damage still remain unclear. No public statements have been made by either Israel or the United States regarding the matter.
—Mark Mazzetti and Helene Cooper, "U.S. confirms Israeli strikes hit Syrian target last week," New York Times, 12 September 2007.

13 September 2007
U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korea and Syria might have been cooperating on some kind of nuclear facility in Syria. The evidence based primarily on Israeli satellite imagery has led U.S. officials to believe that the facility could have been used to produce material for nuclear weapons. Speculations are also rife that the bombed facility could have been manufacturing unconventional weapons, including the possibility of the facility being a missile installation.
—Glenn Kessler. "North Korea, Syria may be at work on nuclear facility," Washington Post, 13 September 2007; "North Korea, Syria possibly building nuclear installation," Nuclear Threat Initiative, 13 September 2007.

20 September 2007
Israel confirms operation over Syria. Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that he congratulated Prime Minister Olmert following an alleged air strike of a nuclear installation in northern Syria. During a live TV interview, Netanyahu said that he was "part of the matter from the beginning."
—Yaakov Katz. "Netanyahu: I congratulated Olmert on Syria operation. IDF holds large-scale exercise in Golan Heights," Jerusalem Post, 20 September 2007.

25 September 2007
North Korea dismisses reports that it was providing nuclear material to Syria as allegations "fabricated by lunatics." Speaking to reporters before the Six-Party talks, North Korean Vice-Foreign Minister Kim Kye-kwan says, "Lunatics have created these rumours about a nuclear deal between us and Syria."
—Mark Tran. "North Korea denies nuclear link," Guardian Unlimited, 25 September 2007; "Yonhap: DPRK envoy reiterates denial of Syrian nuclear ties, comments on 6-party talks," Yonhap, 25 September 2007, Open Source Document KPP 20070925971002.

14 October 2007
Report alleges that Israeli airstrikes on Syria last month were directed against a site housing a partially constructed nuclear reactor. The reactor is believed to be modeled on a North Korean design used for stockpiling fuel for nuclear weapons.
—David E. Sanger and Mark Mazzetti. "Israel struck Syrian nuclear project, analysts say," New York Times, 14 October 2007.

15 October 2007
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) asks Damascus for information about the facility targeted by Israeli airstrikes.
—Mark Heinrich. "UN watchdog asks Syria about 'undeclared' atom plant," Reuters, 15 October 2007.

25 October 2007
U.S. security experts publish what they believe to be photographs of the secret Syrian nuclear facility bombed by Israel last month. Their analysis of satellite images in an area near the Euphrates river reveals what they say are buildings similar to a North Korean reactor capable of producing fuel for a nuclear bomb.
—Leonard Doyle. "US claims photos show Syrian nuclear reactor," Independent, 25 October 2007; David Albright and Paul Brannan. "Suspect reactor construction site in eastern Syria: The site of the September 6 Israeli raid?," Institute for Science and International Security, 23 October 2007.

27 October 2007
Syria removes all traces of the building targeted by Israeli airstrikes in September. This fuels speculations that the structure may have concealed a partially completed nuclear installation.
—Ian Black. "International: Syria nuclear cover-up suspected after Israeli raid," Guardian, 27 October 2007.

28 October 2007
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, tells CNN that the IAEA has not received information about any clandestine nuclear activities in Syria. He adds that he was told by the Syrians that the site was a military facility with "nothing to do with nuclear."
—"IAEA chief criticizes Israel over Syria raid," Reuters, 28 October 2007.

5 November 2007
The Syrian facility bombed by Israel in September was several years old. Commercial satellite imagery from 2003 indicates the presence of a structure similar to the most recent imagery taken from just prior to the Israeli airstrikes in September.
—Mark Hosenball. "A New Intelligence Failure?," Newsweek, 5 November 2007.

8 November 2007
The Syrian deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Abdallah al-Dardari, denies that Syria has the capability to produce nuclear energy. Al-Dardari says that "the production of nuclear energy is costly, and it requires a very big infrastructure of material, technical, and human resources, which are not available in Syria."
—"Syrian official says Syria incapable of producing nuclear energy," Syria News, 8 November 2007, Open Source Document GMP 20071108637004.

24 April 2008
The Bush administration organizes a series of meetings for lawmakers and the press in which intelligence officials discuss the Syrian site bombed by Israel last September. Based on photographic and other evidence, the officials assess with high confidence that the facility, known as Al Kibar, was a graphite moderated nuclear reactor under construction. They also assess with high confidence that Syria and North Korea were cooperating on nuclear activities, but can only state with medium confidence that North Korea was involved in the construction at Al Kibar. While officials believe the reactor was intended to create fuel for a nuclear weapons program, they admit the evidence so far only justifies a low level of confidence in this assessment. The CIA releases a video including photographs of the site and a meeting between Syrian and North Korean officials.
—"Background Briefing with Senior U.S. Officials on Syria's Covert Nuclear Reactor and North Korea's Involvement," Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 24 April 2007, <http://dni.gov>; Demetri Sevastopulo, "N Korea 'helped' Syria build nuclear plant," Financial Times, 24 April 2008.

24 April 2008
The Syrian ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, denies the American claim that Syria was building a nuclear reactor, calling it "ridiculous."
—"Syria denies N Korea nuclear link," Al Jazeera, 25 April 2007.

25 April 2008
IAEA Chief Mohamed ElBaradei criticizes the United States for withholding information on the Syrian facility at Al Kibar, but promises that his agency will treat the information "with the seriousness it deserves and will investigate the veracity of the information."
—George Jahn, "IAEA's ElBaradei criticizes US for holding back information, Associated Press, 25 April 2007.

22-24 June 2008
Damascus allows a team of IAEA officials to visit the suspected nuclear site Al-Kibar, though a request to visit other Syrian sites is denied. The IAEA releases no information on its findings, promising to report on the results of the inspection at the next regular board meeting in September.
—"UN nuclear team inspects Syrian site," Reuters, 24 June 2008; "IAEA inspectors have visited Al-Kibar: source," Agence France-Presse, 24 June 2008.

11 August 2008
Syria denies an IAEA request for a second visit to Al-Kibar. Confirming media reports, the Syrian Foreign Ministry releases a statement explaining that the agreement between Syria and the IAEA only provides for one visit. However, the ministry adds that Syria is ready to answer any follow-up questions the UN agency may have.
—"Syria rejects second visit by international nuclear agency," Al-Arabiya TV in BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 9 August 2008; "Syria says ready to answer IAEA questions," Tehran Times, 11 August 2008.

22 September 2008
The IAEA has thus far found no evidence of nuclear material at Al-Kibar according to a statement by Director General Mohamed El-Baradei. As the suspected graphite-moderated nuclear reactor was still under construction when it was destroyed, it was not expected that radioactive material would be found. However, diplomats say preliminary tests do not indicate the presence of graphite either—this could mean that U.S. sources were incorrect about the site's purpose, that graphite rods had not yet been installed or were buried too deeply inside the facility to be damaged, or that the Syrians have successfully removed most traces of the substance. Further tests are ongoing, and the IAEA is still awaiting Syrian permission to visit related sites.
—George Jahn, "Diplomats: Syria passes 1st test of nuclear probe," Associated Press, 20 September 2008; "UN watchdog probe of Syria inconclusive," Reuters, 22 September 2008; "No indication of nuclear material in Syria so far: ElBaradei," AFP, 22 September 2008.

25 September 2008
The IAEA probe into alleged Syrian nuclear activity has been delayed by the death of the agency's main contact in Syria, according to Mohamed El-Baradei. Diplomatic sources confirm El-Baradei was referring to Brigadier General Mohammad Suleiman, who was killed by a sniper near the Syrian port city of Tartus in August. Reports at the time alternatively described the general as a top aide to President Assad or as Syria's main liaison with Hezbollah. Diplomats now reveal that General Suleiman accompanied the IAEA team on its June visit to Al-Kibar.
—"Top Syria official 'assassinated'," BBC News, 4 August 2008; "Contact man's murder delays Syria nuclear probe: IAEA," Agence France Presse, 25 September 2008; Mark Heinrich and Sylvia Westal, "Assad aide killing hurts UN probe in Syria: diplomats," Reuters, 25 September 2008.

3 October 2008
Syria withdraws its bid for a seat on the IAEA Board of Governors, bowing to Middle East and South Asia (MESA) consensus candidate Afghanistan. The United States had opposed a Syrian seat on the board, pointing to suspicions that Syria violated the NPT and built a clandestine nuclear facility at Al-Kibar.
—"Syria gives way in IAEA contest," BBC News, 3 October 2008; "Afghanistan wins spot on IAEA board after Syria withdraws," Agence France Presse, 4 October 2008.

3 October 2008
IAEA inspectors will not be allowed to return to Al-Kibar, according to a signal from the head of Syria's Atomic Energy Commission, Ibrahim Othman. While maintaining that Damascus will cooperate with the IAEA, Othman added that such cooperation "will not in any way come at the expense of exposing our military sites or causing a threat to our national security."
—"Syria rebuffs nuclear inspectors," BBC News, 3 October 2008; Jay Soloman, "Syria Signals It Will Stop UN Nuclear Inspectors," Wall Street Journal, 4 October 2008.

28 October 2008
Environmental samples taken from Al-Kibar show enough evidence suggesting nuclear activity to warrant continued investigation, according to an IAEA leak. Two agency diplomats say the final soil and air sample evaluation is complete but will not be presented until the next board meeting which begins on 27 November 2008.
—George Jahn, "Diplomats: IAEA says Syrian nuke info needs probe," AP, 28 October 2008.

29 October 2008
Syrian deputy foreign minister Fayssal Mekdad refines Syria's position on future IAEA visits to Al-Kibar, telling reporters that if the agency requests a second inspection of the site the request would be considered. But he signals no flexibility on three other sites the IAEA has asked to visit, saying "There isn't a country in the world that allows inspections of its military sites."
—"Syria would consider another UN nuclear agency visit, foreign minister says," AP, 29 October 2008.

10-12 November 2008
Public discussion of a possible Syrian nuclear program intensifies as the anticipated release of an IAEA report on Al-Kibar approaches. Adding details to an earlier leak, IAEA diplomats say traces of processed uranium were found at the suspected nuclear site, warranting further investigation. Mohamed El-Baradei confirms that Al-Kibar is on the November agenda but warns that the facility's destruction has complicated IAEA efforts to uncover the truth. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moualem claims the recent leaks are politically motivated and suggests any uranium found at Al-Kibar could have been left over from Israeli ordinance. Depleted uranium is used in some anti-tank shells but is not commonly employed in bombs or air-to-surface missiles.
—George Jahn, "Diplomats: Uranium found from suspect Syrian site," AP, 10 November 2008; Karel Janicek, "IAEA taking Syria nuclear allegations seriously," AP, 11 November 2008; Khaled Yacoub Oweis, "Nuclear disclosures politically motivated: Syria," Reuters, 12 November 2008; "Depleted Uranium," Federation of American Scientists, www.fas.org.

19 November 2008
The features of Al-Kibar are "similar to what may be found in connection with a reactor site," according to copies of an IAEA report made public ahead of the upcoming board meeting. While a non-nuclear purpose "cannot be excluded," the report lists the building size, dimension and layout of the containment structure, its available pumping capacity, and the presence of a significant number of chemically processed natural uranium particles as supportive of the reactor hypothesis. The report also notes that Syria has not yet supplied requested documentation nor allowed inspectors to visit three related sites, adding that the sites were re-landscaped and large containers were removed from them shortly after the agency's request to visit. Finally, the report says the IAEA will request information from Israel to explore Syrian claims on the origin of the uranium particles.
—"Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic," IAEA Board of Governors Report, 19 November 2008.

19-21 November 2008
In response to the latest IAEA report, Syria stands by its claims that the destroyed facility was a conventional military building and any uranium traces must have come from Israeli munitions. Appearing to indicate a hardened position on further inspections, Syrian atomic agency head Ibrahim Othman says his country "will not allow another visit."
—Mark Heinrich, "Syria site hit by Israel resembled atom plant: IAEA," Reuters, 19 November 2008; George Jahn, "Syria all but rules out more UN nuclear inspection," AP, 21 November 2008.

24-26 November 2008
The IAEA approves a $350,000 nuclear assistance package for Syria, pledging agency help in "conducting a technical and economic feasibility study and site selection for a nuclear power plant." The United States sharply criticizes the plan, calling it "wholly inappropriate... given the fact that Syria is under investigation by the IAEA for building a nuclear reactor outside the bounds of its international commitments." Despite their misgivings the U.S., Canada and Australia ultimately join the consensus in favor of the assistance package.
—"West Resists Syria Pleas For Nuclear Project Help - Diplomats," AFP, 24 November 2008; "U.S. blasts IAEA's Syria funding move," UPI, 25 November 2008; Mark Heinrich, "IAEA overrides U.S., clears Syria nuclear aid plan," Reuters, 26 November 2008.

28 November 2008
The IAEA has been unable to acquire commercial satellite imagery of Al-Kibar for the period immediately following the Israeli bombing. Mohamed El-Baradei calls the lack of available imagery "baffling." One scenario reportedly under consideration by agency officials is the possibility that Syria or another nation bought the photographs and all rights to them from commercial satellite companies for the purposes of a cover-up.
—George Jahn, "IAEA chief baffled over lack of Syria nuclear info," AP, 28 November 2008.

15 December 2008
According to U.S. nuclear expert Siegfried Hecker, none of North Korea's safeguarded fresh uranium fuel at Yongbyon was diverted to Al-Kibar. Both the U.S. and Israeli governments have accused North Korea of helping Syria fuel the alleged Al-Kibar reactor based on similarities of construction. Hecker acknowledges the possibility that fuel might have been "obtained from some unknown uranium inventory" in North Korea, but "all of the [declared] fresh fuel—for the 5-MW and 50-MW reactors—is still there" [as of Hecker's February 2008 visit to Yongbyon].
—Mark Hibbs, "U.S. Expert: North Korea Didn't Divert Safeguarded Fuel to Syrian Reactor," Platts Nucleonics Week, 18 December 2008; Mark Hibbs, "DPRK Has Not Shown Inclination to Provide Access on Syria," Platts Nuclear Fuel, 12 January 2009.

13 January 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the Obama administration will make engaging Iran and Syria a top diplomatic priority. She also says she "will put diplomacy back at the heart of a 'smart power' strategy for the Middle East." The smart power strategy would address important issues such as the Iranian nuclear program and the "irresponsible behavior" of other countries such as Syria, as well as continuing to assist the Arab-Israeli peace process.
—Tom Baldwin, "Clinton's 'Smart Power' Strategy for the Middle East; Secretary of State-Designate Pledges New Style of Foreign Policy," The Times, 14 January 2009; Jay Solomon, "Clinton Will Engage Iran and Syria Soon," Wall Street Journal, 14 January 2009.

9 February 2009
During an interview with Newsweek, IAEA Director General Mohamed El-Baradei refutes criticism that the IAEA was not tough enough on Syria for building Al-Kibar. El-Baradei claims Israel did not provide the information necessary to determine whether Syria was building a nuclear reactor before it bombed Al-Kibar in September 2007. "Now we are doing our best to try to see what Syria was doing, but it's like Iran. I cannot jump the gun and say Syria was building a nuclear facility because what we are doing now is trying to verify what was there." In answer to the question of why he hasn't criticized Syria and North Korea for building the facility, El-Baradei asserts, "if I had had the evidence before the bombing, I could have done it in 24 hours."
—Lally Weymouth, "Mohamed ElBaradei," Newsweek, 9 February 2009.

19 February 2009
The IAEA Board of Directors issues its second Board of Governors report on Syria in three months. The report indicates that graphite and additional uranium particles were found at the Al-Kibar site. A senior UN official says the discovery of additional uranium was "significant," especially in combination with graphite traces, all of which puts more pressure on Damascus to clarify its nuclear intentions. In a 17 February 2009 letter, Syria reaffirmed that the destroyed facility was a "military installation," but IAEA officials remain skeptical.
—Report by the Director General, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic," IAEA Board of Governors, 19 February 2009; Mark Heinrich, "IAEA finds graphite, more uranium at Syria site," Reuters, 19 February 2009.

In response to the IAEA's February 2009 report, the United States urges the IAEA to consider the "mounting evidence and ongoing concerns" that Syria is establishing a clandestine nuclear program. Also, the Israeli foreign ministry states that, "Israel expects the IAEA and its head to continue its impartial investigations...these two states [Syria and Iran] operate clandestinely in the nuclear realm in a way that endangers regional and world peace while flagrantly violating their international commitments."
—Gordon Duguid, "Daily Press Briefings: Syria—IAEA Director General's Report (Taken Question)," U.S. State Department Office of the Spokesman, 19 February 2009; "Israel, U.S. react to IAEA reports," JTA, 22 February 2009.

21 February 2009
Syrian President Al-Assad meets with two delegations from the United States to discuss improving bilateral relations. During this visit, senior U.S. State Department officials will also meet with Syrian Ambassador Imad Moustapha to discuss Syria's alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons and the country's tacit support for terrorist organizations. Such interactions reflect Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's desire to initiate open dialog with Syria and use her "smart power" strategy in the Middle East.
—The Associated Press, "U.S. to Prod Syrian Envoy on Terrorism, Nukes," International Herald Tribune, 22 February 2009; "Syrian president discusses bilateral ties with U.S. delegations," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 21 February 2009.

24 February 2009
Syria rejects the IAEA's findings in the February 2009 Board of Governors Report, which said the agency had found manmade graphite and more uranium particles at the Al-Kibar site. The head of Syria's Atomic Energy Commission, Ibrahim Othman, argues that "there was no graphite at all...there was...no reason for graphite to be there." Instead, he claims the agency may have discovered carbon that could have come "from anywhere, it could have come from cars." This statement contradicts what a senior UN official told reporters earlier on 19 February 2009, that, "we are sure it is man-made graphite but not yet sure if it has specifications of nuclear-grade graphite." Syria has yet to provide evidence or documentation to refute such findings.
—Mark Heinrich, "IAEA finds graphite, more uranium at Syria site," Reuters, 19 February 2009.

24 February 2009
According to an IAEA technical briefing, Syria is suspected to have covertly sought to purchase "dual-use" materials that could be used in a graphite reactor to produce plutonium for a nuclear program. IAEA officials also claim that Syria has constructed a new missile site at Al-Kibar. During the agency's June 2008 visit to Syria, IAEA inspectors were asked if they wanted to "put a missile in position" by Syrian personnel. Western diplomats believe it is either a missile control center or a launch pad but cannot verify these allegations at the suspected site.
—George Jahn, "Diplomats: Syria puts missile facility on hit site," Associated Press, 25 February 2009.

26 February 2009
Three prominent nonproliferation experts urge the IAEA to implement its most powerful inspection provision, the "special inspection," with which Syria would be legally obligated to comply. This would enable IAEA inspectors to visit undeclared sites, and namely Al-Kibar, in support of their continuing investigation into whether it was a nuclear reactor. Moreover, if Syria refused to comply with a special inspections request, the IAEA Board of Governors would have the option of filing a formal finding of non-compliance, referring this finding to the UN Security Council for either "information purposes" or sanctions. Historically, the IAEA has only exercised its right to special inspections twice, in the Romanian and North Korean cases (and North Korea refused the agency's request for access).
—James Acton, Mark Fitzpatrick and Pierre Goldschmidt, "The IAEA Should Call for a Special Inspection in Syria," Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Proliferation Analysis, 26 February 2009; Mark Heinrich, "IAEA urged to impose 'special' inspection on Syria," Reuters, 26 February 2009.

5 March 2009
A U.S. Government Accountability Office report indicates that Syria, along with four other countries designated by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism, received U.S. aid indirectly via the IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund from 1997 to 2007. The program promotes peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and is 25% funded by the U.S. government as part of its IAEA membership obligations. The report, requested by U.S. Senator Daniel Akaha (D-HI), estimates that Syria received $14 million from the program. Responding to the report's findings, Senator Akaha asserts, "As a long-time advocate for strong, international nonproliferation efforts, I am troubled by GAO's findings. The IAEA has not been providing enough information about proposed projects to the United States government. ...U.S. funding should only go to projects that have been thoroughly analyzed for proliferation risks."
—Siobhan Gorman, "Iran, Syria got indirect U.S. nuclear aid," The Wall Street Journal, 31 March 2009; Press Release for U.S. Senator Daniel Akaha, "U.S.-Designated State Sponsors of Terror, Including Iran and Syria, Received Over $55 Million from U.S.-Backed Nuclear Assistance Program, New GAO Report Shows," 31 March 2009; "Nuclear Nonproliferation: Strengthened Oversight Needed to Address Proliferation and Management Challenges in IAEA's Technical Cooperation Program," (GAO-09-275), 5 March 2009; Scott Miller, "GAO Details Nuclear Aid to Terrorism Sponsors," Arms Control Today, May 2009.

18 March 2009
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he is "ready to serve as a mediator with Iran." He calls for a "plan, precise rules and mechanisms to submit to Tehran" when attempting to engage in diplomatic dialogue on Iran's nuclear program.
—"Syria's Assad ready to mediate with Iran," Agence France Presse, 18 March 2009.

19 March 2009
Hans Ruehle, former chief of the planning staff of the German Defense Ministry, publishes a report in the Swiss press accusing Iran of financing Syria's alleged nuclear cooperation with North Korea. Ruehle also claims that it was disclosure of this information to Western officials by Ali Reza Asghari, a retired general in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who defected from Iran in February 2007 that precipitated the 6 September 2007 Israeli air strike on the Al-Kibar site. Ruehle states that according to Israeli estimates, Iran provided North Korea with between $1 and $2 billion to assist Syria in construction of the alleged plutonium production reactor at Al-Kibar. There is currently no official comment on Ruehle's allegations from U.S., Israeli, Iranian, or Syrian officials, and Ruehle's report does not disclose the sources of his information. However, according to an anonymous U.S. official, "There is strong reason to believe that only two countries were involved in building the Syrian covert nuclear reactor at Al Kibar—Syria and North Korea."
—Alexander G. Higgins, "Report: Iranian defector tipped Syrian nuke plans," The Associated Press, 19 March 2009.

5 June 2009
The IAEA reports finding traces of anthropogenic natural uranium particles during a routine inspection at a Damascus research reactor. The SRR-1 Miniature Neutron Source Reactor is the second Syrian site at which uranium particles have been discovered [See NTI Syria Nuclear Chronology 24 April 2008, 28 October 2008, and 19 February 2009]. The uranium, found on hot cells, is a "type not included in Syria's declared inventory of nuclear material," according to the IAEA report, and "needs to be understood." The discovery "implies at least some kind of experimentation" by Syria, according to David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security. The newly discovered particles may have a "possible connection" to the uranium traces found at the Al-Kibar site, according to the report, but further analysis is needed to confirm the link. David Albright and Paul Brannan write: "These findings raise the question of whether Syria had taken natural uranium intended for a reactor at the Dair Alzour [Al-Kibar] site and used a portion of it to perform cold-testing of reprocessing on a small scale at the hot cell facility." Syria has not yet offered a credible explanation for the particles. IAEA officials are also pressing Syria to explain the "large quantity of graphite," barium sulphate, and water pumping equipment that it had procured, which would have been essential to Al-Kibar's operation if the facility was indeed a graphite-moderated nuclear reactor. The IAEA repeats its request that Syria provide information "about the past use and nature of the building at the Dair Alzour site," saying that "certain procurement activities remain to be clarified."
—Joby Warrick, "UN Inspectors Find Traces of Uranium at Second Site in Syria," The Washington Post, 6 June 2009; Bethany Bell, "Uranium found at second Syria site — IAEA," BBC News, 5 June 2009; Mark Heinrich, "IAEA finds undeclared uranium at second Syria site," Reuters, 5 June 2009, "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic," IAEA Director General, 5 June 2009; David Albright and Paul Brannan, "IAEA Report on Syria: Undeclared Uranium Particles Found in Hot Cell Facility in Damascus; Syria Not Answering IAEA's Questions," Institute for Science and International Security, 5 June 2009.

16 June 2009
Ibrahim Othman, Director General of Syria's Atomic Energy Commission, plays down the IAEA's recent discovery of uranium particles at the SRR-1 research reactor in Damascus [See NTI Syria Nuclear Chronology 5 June 2009] and accuses the agency of treating Syria unfairly. Othman says: "We have [a nuclear] inventory which we have declared," and asks, "Is it part of our obligation to declare contaminated areas which we don't know about?" He contends that only "one particle or two particles of natural uranium" were found at the site, adding that the reactor is not even capable of performing uranium tests. The IAEA Board of Governors is expected to discuss the findings in a closed session tomorrow.
—"Syria Plays Down Report on Uranium Traces," Global Security Newswire, 17 June 2009, www.nti.org; Mark Heinrich and Sylvia Westall, "Syria dismisses IAEA concern on uranium traces," Reuters, 16 June 2009.

18 June 2009
At the IAEA Board of Governor's meeting in Vienna, Israel's Foreign Ministry criticizes Director General Mohamed El-Baradei for the agency's handling of the recent discovery of uranium particles in Syria. Israel calls on El-Baradei "to prevent political bias in the investigation into Syria's covert nuclear activities." Israel's envoy at the meeting, Israel Michaeli, says that "Israel has responded...in good faith" to Syria's allegations that uranium particles found at Syrian sites are from an Israeli attack on Al-Kibar in 2007 [See NTI Syria Nuclear Chronology 12 September 2007, 19-21 November 2008]. Michaeli further argues, "the repeated call by the director-general on Israel to cooperate with this investigation is redundant." In response, El-Baradei calls Israel's position "totally distorted" and claims that the Israeli attack on Al-Kibar "was not only hampering our work, but was a clear violation of international law."
—Herb Keinon, "Israel says ElBaradei biased on Syria," The Jerusalem Post, 18 June 2009; "Meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors — Israel's Position," Statement by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2009; Mark Heinrich, "ElBaradei, Israel clash over Syria atom probe 'bias,'" Reuters, 18 June 2009.

	Updated July 2009