Range of Iraqi missile 'exceeds rules'
By James Harding in Washington and Mark Turner at the United,Nations in New York
Published: February 13 2003 4:00 | Last Updated: February 13 2003 10:10
A meeting of missile experts called by United Nations arms inspectors has found Iraq's Al Samoud 2 missile system has a longer operational range than permitted under United Nations resolutions, providing the first clear indication Iraq has continued to develop proscribed weapons.
The news is likely to bolster the US case that Iraq is not co-operating with its UN obligations to disarm, ahead of a crucial report by inspectors to the Security Council tomorrow, and to raise the pressure on Saddam Hussein's regime.
Under UN rules Iraq may not develop missiles with a range further than 150km, and in his January 27 briefing to the Security Council, Hans Blix, chief weapons inspector, suggested two systems, the Al Samoud 2 and the Al Fatah, "might very well represent prima facie cases of proscribed systems".
The missiles are now likely to be destroyed.
Iraq had declared results of tests in which the missiles went further than permitted, but argued the rockets would fall within accepted ranges once loaded with warheads and guidance systems. Mr Blix also said in January that Iraq had illegally imported 380 rocket engines, which could be used for the Al Samoud 2, despite the sanctions.
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150 kilometers!!?!? HOLY SHIT! I didn't know Iraq was THAT close to America!! It's worse than the Cuba crisis of the 1960s!! |
