LONDON [MENL] -- Britain has been accused of selling Iran a rare metal that
serves as a key component of a nuclear weapon.

Parliamentarians have raised questions regarding the government's sale of
beryllium to Teheran. The government has acknowledged the sale but said
beryllium transfer is meant for civilian purposes. The reported sale of
beryllium took place last year and was approved by the Trade and Industry
Department. The sale was said to have violated an international ban of the
metal to Iran.

Parliamentarians said the sale came amid an intense Iranian effort to procure
sensitive material and equipment in Britain. The British Broadcasting Corp.
reported in a special program last week that Iranian agents were in Britain
scouring companies and exhibitions for such material.

But the government dismissed the assertions. Officials said authorities
reviewed the Iranian request and deemed it as acceptable.

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  {PageLastUpdated();} Last Updated: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 18:13:01 GMT
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