Uranium sold by Niger may have gone to Arabs

The African nation of Niger has sold 450 metric tons of unenriched uranium to Muammar al-Qaddafi, the Libyan leader, and Western experts say some of it may have been diverted to Arab nations thought to be developing nuclear arms.

President Seyni Kountche said his government observed "a moral code" on nuclear proliferation which requires buyers to accept UN safeguards. But he added that Niger needs money badly and that once assurances are given that the nuclear fuel will not be used for bombs, his government's responsibility ends. The President indicated he may sell Colonel Qaddafi more u ranium in the future.