The British government says that Iraq's efforts to purchase uranium in Africa demonstrates it is still intended in making an nuclear bomb.

To assist the domestic uranium industry, the federal government initiated a stockpiling program to purchase uranium.

As evidence, the report cited Iraq's attempts to purchase uranium from an African country.

Many countries have purchased uranium mined and then processed into yellowcake from this site including Iraq in 1980.

The agency said it had sought information in December to back up American charges that Iraq had attempted to purchase uranium in Niger.

Section II of the report discussed the handling of intelligence indicating that Iraq might be attempting to purchase uranium from Niger.

Instead of buying fuel bundles from the fabricator, the usual approach is to purchase uranium in all of these intermediate forms.

The one in Bushehr, which is scheduled to go operational in 2006, will purchase enriched uranium from Russia, which requires the return of the spent fuel.

Particularly troubling are reports that the administration knew its contention that Iraq tried to purchase uranium from Niger was based on forged documents.

Wilson says he reported to the CIA that Iraqi attempts to purchase uranium from Niger are unlikely.