January 5, 2006	Thursday	Zilhaj 4, 1426

LONDON, Jan 4: Iran has been scouring Europe for nuclear bomb technology, a British newspaper said on Wednesday, citing a report by Western intelligence agencies.

Iranian scientists are hunting parts for a new ballistic missile capable of hitting Europe, with ‘important requests and acquisitions ... registered almost daily’, concluded the 55-page assessment, according to The Guardian daily.

Pakistan and Syria have also been shopping for the chemicals and technology required to enrich uranium and develop rocket programmes, it reported.

Chinese front companies have played a key role in North Korean arms procurement endeavour while Russia is identified as crucial to Iran’s military programmes, The Guardian added.

The newspaper said the document was dated July 1, 2005, and included material from British, French, German and Belgian agencies.

It has been used to brief European ministers and warn top industrialists to be vigilant when exporting expertise or equipment to ‘rogue states’, according to The Guardian. —AFP