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CIA to Brief Congress on Syria-North Korea Nuke Pact

Washington moves close to N. Korea agreement

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 23, 2008 7:05 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Details of a suspected secret pact between North Korea and Syria to supply Damascus with nuclear weapons technology will be revealed in closed-door CIA briefings of lawmakers, Reuters reports. The pact is apparently linked to an Israeli air raid on a suspected nuclear site in Syria last year. The briefing comes as Washington moves closer to an agreement by North Korea to finally declare details of its nuclear program.

Once the agreement is reached, Washington hopes to lift sanctions against North Korea, and the briefings are a way to win support from Congress for the strategy. It seems like odd timing for the briefing, but officials are underlining the fact that the facility is no longer a threat, reports ABC News. "They are about to lift sanctions," said a congressional aide. "They want to convince members we have enough clarity to proceed."

Sung Kim, chief Korea expert for the US State Department, visited North Korea to survey nuclear facilities to be disabled.
Sung Kim, chief Korea expert for the US State Department, visited North Korea to survey nuclear facilities to be disabled.   (AP Photo)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. US lawmakers are to be briefed on North Korea's pact with Syria to supply nuclear technology.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. US lawmakers are to be briefed on North Korea's pact with Syria to supply nuclear technology.   (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service)
Syrian President Bashar Assad. US lawmakers will be told North Korea gave the Syrians nuclear technology.
Syrian President Bashar Assad. US lawmakers will be told North Korea gave the Syrians nuclear technology.   (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
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World • US

 
Israel • North Korea • Syria • Senate • Armed Services Committee • House of Representatives • Pyongyang • Damascus • airstrike • Intelligence Committee • National Security Council • Trading With the Enemy Act • Foreign Affairs Committee • six-party agreement

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