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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SirRealist who wrote (36916)	8/13/2002 8:22:28 AM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

So much for Ritter: >>Recent defectors confirm intelligence on Iraqi warheads SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM Monday, August 12, 2002 New intelligence from defectors has confirmed U.S. estimates on Iraq's progress in developing weapons of mass destruction. A key development, officials said, is that Baghdad has managed to weaponize chemical and biological warheads on Iraq's missile arsenal. For months, the CIA sought to confirm the assertions of the Iraqi defectors, which in some cases appeared suspect, that the regime of President Saddam Hussein had acquired the components and infrastructure through Syria. But over the last three months, officials said, new information was received that confirmed much of what the defectors had said, Middle East Newsline reported. The information determined that Saddam had abandoned former WMD facilities for new underground facilities and mobile vans. Officials said the reports of Iraqi successes in WMD development came from a range of defectors. Over the weekend, Saddam continued meetings with his military advisers. The official Iraqi news agency said Saddam met Military Industry Minister Abdul Tawab Huweish and senior officials. U.S. officials said the intelligence community has determined that Iraq has achieved success in restoring some of its WMD infrastructure. The officials said the determination is based on intelligence received over the last few months that points to developments in Iraqi biological and chemical weapons programs. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Richard Myers said the United States long suspected that Iraq was using the departure of United Nations weapons inspectors in 1998 to revive WMD programs. "What we are certain of [is] that he still has a great interest in chemical and biological weapons; in fact, conducts research and development into those systems, that he still weaponizes those capabilities, that he's very interested in nuclear capabilities. And, like I say, we're very certain of that, and a lot of that comes from current intelligence." Myers said in a television interview on Friday that new intelligence confirmed and provided many details regarding the capabilities of the Iraqi regime in biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. He would not elaborate. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Iraq has received technologies and equipment for its military programs through its land borders. He would not elaborate. "People figure clever ways to get around them with dual-use technologies," Rumsfeld told a briefing on Friday. "People do it illegally across borders, and these are porous borders." Rumsfeld said Iraq has obtained sufficient parts and expertise to improve its air defense network through revenues from oil sales. He said the United States, despite numerous strikes, has not significantly damaged Iraqi air defense assets, much of which have been converted into mobile systems. "He's got mobile anti-aircraft capabilities, and when he shoots at us, we shoot back," Rumsfeld said. "He hasn't hit us, fortuitously. But by the same token, we've not done a great deal of damage to his air defenses or any of his other capabilities."<< 216.26.163.62 Yeah, I know it's only WorldTribune.com, but their sister site is geostrategy-direct.com, which has Bill Gertz on board. Gertz also works for the Washington Times, and he's got a long track record of being the guy the Pentagon trusts to get leaks out. Gertz is usually one day ahead of the pack.