Jordan denies nuclear radiation leaks to Israel

AMMAN, Jordan – Jordan said yesterday that Israel’s Dimona nuclear plant has not exposed its neighbour to radiation, refuting allegations by an Israeli nuclear whistleblower such poisoning may have occurred.

“The kingdom is free of radiation,” government spokeswoman Asma Khader told reporters. She said the state Nuclear Energy Commission conducts “round the clock measuring of radiation and has not recorded abnormal levels in areas adjacent to Israel.”The commission’s chief, Ziad al-Qudah, said regular tests and analysis on air and soil quality show that Jordan is “free of any radiation residues.”He said there were 10 early warning stations across the kingdom which “alert us to any unusual measuring of pollution.”Jordanian environmentalist Sufian al-Tal urged thorough research.”Jordan’s location makes it the natural victim of radioactivity carried by wind westward and our long border, the longest Israel has with an Arab country, makes it the most likely venue of Israeli nuclear waste,” al-Tal told The Associated Press.The Jordanians were responding to Mordechai Vanunu’s remarks published yesterday in the London-based Al Wassat weekly magazine that Jordan should test residents in areas across the border from Dimona to be sure they have not already been exposed to radiation.- Nampa-APShe said the state Nuclear Energy Commission conducts “round the clock measuring of radiation and has not recorded abnormal levels in areas adjacent to Israel.”The commission’s chief, Ziad al-Qudah, said regular tests and analysis on air and soil quality show that Jordan is “free of any radiation residues.”He said there were 10 early warning stations across the kingdom which “alert us to any unusual measuring of pollution.”Jordanian environmentalist Sufian al-Tal urged thorough research.”Jordan’s location makes it the natural victim of radioactivity carried by wind westward and our long border, the longest Israel has with an Arab country, makes it the most likely venue of Israeli nuclear waste,” al-Tal told The Associated Press.The Jordanians were responding to Mordechai Vanunu’s remarks published yesterday in the London-based Al Wassat weekly magazine that Jordan should test residents in areas across the border from Dimona to be sure they have not already been exposed to radiation.- Nampa-AP