Russia, China win out against intensive Western efforts to have the project frozen amid the ongoing proliferation investigation of Syria.

Syria’s request for assistance in planning a nuclear power plant, something easily approved for most nations, has come under contention after reports surfaced that Syria was involved in covert nuclear work.

Leading the Western efforts in favor of preventing the aid were Australia, Canada and the United States. They contended that the latest IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) report should be enough to put a freeze on the assistance plan.

The Nov. 19 reports said that a Syrian building destroyed by Israeli fighter jets last year bore a very close resemblance to that of a nuclear reactor, and that traces of uranium were indeed found in the area.

But the report warned that the investigation was only preliminary, and that although it was based on U.S. satellite imagery and an IAEA on-site inspection, there was more investigation needed to prove the allegations.

China, Russia and developing states, backed by IAEA Director Mohamed ElBaradei, countered that no legal basis could withhold aid unless the allegations were proven.