Answer:  

 Every reactor design has some kind of manual mechanism to control neutron absorption. The most common is control rods inserted into the center of the reactor, alongside the fuel rods. In a pebble bed reactor, this is clearly not a good idea. The alternative is to surround the fuel area with neutron reflecting material, and alter this material in order to control the amount of neutrons in the core. One design uses rotating cylinders, which are neutron reflecting on one side, and neutron absorbing on the other. Another method would be to have a solid block of neutron reflecting material, with spaces where neutron absorbing material can be slid into place. These sliding neutron absorbers are different from conventional control rods, but could also be reasonable described as control rods. I do not see a contradiction here, just vagueness. 

 Probably the details of the PBR design should be researched, properly referenced and described. However, the information in the article regarding control rods seems basically correct, though technically vague. The article mentions the sliding neutron absorbers, but does not specifically say that the PBR design used them.  

 Anyway, the whole point of the PBR design is that conventional neutron control systems are not needed for safe operation. So this control rod discussion is not all that important.  

 -Anon, March 28