Salty

iTrader: (14)

The CIA concludes that Saddam Hussein didn't have significant stockpiles of WMD, though he wanted them.

It's long but worth the read. I'll save you some time by suggesting you start reading at 'Procurement' half-way down the testimony as it starts to get interesting.


http://www.cia.gov/cia/public_affair..._03302004.html


So that's the story so far...

Regardless, the end is justified with the means if/when we find stockpiles of WMDs.

Interesting Cliff notes for the lazy:


----------------------------
1)Saddam smuggled "prohibited items" through the U.N. oil-for-food program while some UN officials knew about it.

2)Saddam gave various efforts to conceal WMD from UNSCOM after the Gulf War in 1991. The ISG, however, has uncovered more details about the extensive efforts undertaken by Iraq against UNSCOM and later UNMOVIC till 2003.

3) During these inspections, the Iraqi Intelligence Service was tasked with monitoring and infiltrating UNSCOM and UNMOVIC and watched them like a hawk. Hundreds of Iraqi Intelligence officers from multiple directorates were tasked to monitor the UN officials, employing a spectrum of capabilities from human to electronic surveillance to hide programs and documents within a 15 minute notice.

4)Iraq did have the capability to produce biological or chemical agents on short notice. Iraq did have facilities suitable for the production of biological and chemical agents needed for weapons. It had plans to improve and expand and even build new facilities.

5)Iraq was working up to March 2003 to construct new facilities for the production of chemicals. One chemical was DCC (N,N-Dicyclohexyl carbodiimide), which was used by Iraq before 1991 as a stabilizing agent for the nerve agent VX. Iraq had plans before OIF for large-scale production of this chemical.

6)ISG has developed information that suggests Iraqi interest in preserving and expanding the knowledge needed to design and develop nuclear weapons.

7)They had extensive plans to build a highspeed rail gun capable of extensive range and 210km per second velocity. Likewise, Iraq had a high intrest in the reasearch of techniques used to develope nuclear weapons such as flash x-ray radiography, laser velocimetry, and high-speed photography.

8)Other documents found outside the laboratory described a high-voltage switch that can be used to detonate a nuclear weapon, laser detonation, nuclear fusion, radiation measurement, and radiation safety.

9)In addition to WMD technologies, the ISG has continued to uncover a very robust program for delivery systems that were not reported to the UN. New information has been discovered relating to long-range ballistic missile development and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

10)More than that, the Iraqi regime was developing technology to extend one of their ballistic missile’s range beyond 150 kilometers with changes to airframes and fuels. Discussions were underway with North Korea regarding technology associated with a 1,300 km system—presumably the No Dong.

11)Foreign missile experts worked in Iraq in violation of UN sanctions from 1998 until just before the start of OIF. They undertook a complete review of the al-Samoud surface-to-surface missile system, which exceeded UN range limits.

12)A variety of foreign companies with high-level political connections acted as middlemen to import technology into Iraq for missile and UAV development. These actions clearly violated UN sanctions.

13)Why no paper? Saddam conveyed his most sensitive messages to particular individuals orally. Moreover, there were explicit instructions not to repeat such conversations. Over the past ten months, we have learned that his most senior and trusted officials can hold their tongues as well. Some are willing to talk, but they oftentimes are the ones we know were not in the inner circle.

14)That said, there's a high possiblity that WMD were buried in the middle of BFE with no paper trails

15)The quest continues... the fat lady hasn't even taken stage yet.
--------------------------------


Here's a similar story regarding the accusations for the now-defunct UN oil-for-food program: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...raq_un_list_dc

dub2w

The chief weapons inspector (Belfor?) said on NPR this morning that there is a 5% chance that WMDs will be found.

While this text brings up some interesting points, it does not alleviate the fact that we went into a war based on false information.

As Edwards said, the American people have been mislead. And apparantly Bush and Cheney dont give a rat's **** about acquiescing to even the smallest extent

Salty

iTrader: (14)

What I found interesting is how I just learned 50% more than what knew after reading that testimony. That's no surprise seeing how I gathered most of my original knowledge from the media.

Salty

iTrader: (14)

More...

Many Helped Iraq Evade U.N. Sanctions On Weapons

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...16142_2004oct7

SilverScoober02

Makes perfect sense as to why the French didn't want to see us go to war and they fought so vigorously against it. They had a vested interest in seeing Saddam in power. F the french anyways....We're always cleaning up after them.

Salty

iTrader: (14)

Correct! The United States has known about France’s interest & relations with Iraqi for years.