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

To: JohnM who wrote (71640)	2/5/2003 10:02:06 PM
From: slacker711	Respond to of 281500

The Guardian has various experts on arms control go over the evidence presented by Powell....here is what they have to say about the centrifuges. guardian.co.uk Aluminium centrifuges Powell "Saddam has made repeated covert attempts to acquire high-specification aluminum tubes from 11 different countries. These tubes are controlled by the Nuclear Suppliers Group precisely because they can be used as centrifuges for enriching uranium. There is controversy about what these tubes are for. Most US experts think they are intended to serve as rotors in centrifuges used to enrich uranium. Other experts, and the Iraqis themselves, argue that they are really to produce the rocket bodies for a conventional weapon, a multiple rocket launcher." Assessment The IAEA is still investigating the aluminium tubes issue, one of the reasons it has been pleading for more time for the inspections. But it has given Saddam Hussein the benefit of the doubt by stating it believes the tubes were for rockets, as Baghdad has said, and not for centrifuges. An IAEA source conceded, however: "The tubes can be adapted for centrifuge use." Mr Norris said he was surprised at the quality of the disclosure on the tubes and on the details provided on other nuclear bomb-making equipment. "It seems these tubes can be used for other purposes than we thought." Mr Milholin said: "Powell revealed new information on the tubes, the changes in specification, and he indicated that there may be a nuclear intention. He was also specific about the procurement activities. What Powell said was extremely credible." Mr Powell linked the tubes to other attempts to obtain high-power magnets and other equipment used in centrifuges from firms in Russia, Slovenia, Romania, and India.