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'Dirty bomb' warning to Olympics China training for Games 'attack'
(2 days later)
The Beijing Olympics in August could be a target for terrorists using radioactive materials, the UN nuclear watchdog has told the BBC. The UN's nuclear watchdog says it is training Chinese security officials to deal with a possible radiological attack during the Olympics Games.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says a group might try to release radioactivity at an Olympic venue, possibly using a "dirty bomb". Nuclear experts have staged simulated exercises with Chinese officials, although the watchdog said it was unaware of any specific threat.
However, the IAEA says there is no specific information suggesting an imminent attack on the Beijing games. Drills included what to do if a so-called "dirty bomb" was smuggled into an Olympic venue in Beijing.
The IAEA warning comes as it conducts a training exercise in China's capital. The games are due to be held in the Chinese capital from 8-24 August.
London threat "The awareness after the 9/11 attacks [was] that there are basically no limits for what can be done," said Anita Nilsson, of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Office of Nuclear Security.
The agency says intelligence shows that terrorists are trying to obtain nuclear materials. "In this case it is better to be proactive, to review the practices and to put them up to standard and to implement them," she said.
Its concern is that they might try to use a "dirty bomb" with conventional explosives in Beijing. IAEA and Chinese officials have carried out a series of simulated exercises in Beijing, including how to respond to the discovery of a suspected "dirty bomb" in a restaurant.
"There is a threat at some level that these [radioactive] materials could be used," said Dr Anita Nilsson, the IAEA's head of nuclear security. A "dirty bomb" is a weapon designed to contaminate the local environment by disbursing radioactive material.
"The awareness that these materials do exist in circulation is enough in itself to trigger the measures that we are now working together with the Chinese authorities to implement at the major venues of the Beijing Olympics," she said. Peter Colgan, one of Dr Nilsson's deputies, said the exercises had gone "very well".
Dr Nilsson warned that the same threats would exist for the London Olympics in 2012.Dr Nilsson warned that the same threats would exist for the London Olympics in 2012.
"There is a major shift in threat perception over the last five to 10 years. And we have to take that into account and to do accordingly, whether it is Olympic games in Beijing or London. These measures must be implemented.""There is a major shift in threat perception over the last five to 10 years. And we have to take that into account and to do accordingly, whether it is Olympic games in Beijing or London. These measures must be implemented."
Organisers of the 2012 games say "work is progressing to ensure a safe and secure" event.Organisers of the 2012 games say "work is progressing to ensure a safe and secure" event.