Russia, Georgia Trade Accusations In Uranium Case

Georgian Interior Minister Merabishvili (file photo) (InterPressNews)

January 25, 2007 -- A Russian official says a lack of Georgian cooperation has prevented Russia from identifying the source of enriched uranium smuggled by a Russian citizen in Georgia.

In interviews with U.S. media published today, Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said a Russian citizen was arrested for smuggling a small amount of weapons-grade uranium last year in Georgia.

Merabishvili said he was publicizing the incident now because of frustration with Russia's lack of cooperation in the case.

An official with Russia's Federal Atomic Energy Agency quoted by Interfax confirmed the arrest. But he said the sample of smuggled uranium Georgia presented to Russia was too small to determine the substance's country of origin.

He said Georgia failed to provide a larger sample despite Russia's repeated requests.

(Interfax, dpa, AP)