It has been only 7 months since the war in Iraq even began, but charges that the United States lied about Iraqi possession of weapons of mass destruction are seen in the press daily. This report will examine evidence of WMD independently gathered from the press, and where they presently are. Before going further, I wish to make the following points:

1) The intelligence communities of every major country were confident that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction before 2003. These include the United States, Canada, France, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, even Iran and a slew of others. It was a working assumption that such WMD was in Iraq, so much that I never heard accusations that it wasn’t true until the political war heated up in March, 2003.

2) Colin Powell’s presentation at the UN in February 2003 proved that Iraq was deceiving UN inspectors. What is there to hide?

3) In 1995, a high-ranking Iraqi defector proved Iraq was building WMD despite the UN restrictions. After this was revealed, Iraq admitted it had violated UN restrictions. Why should we believe Iraq was in compliance with the UN today, when Saddam hasn’t in the past?

4) As shown in the Kay interim report, there were thousands of items that Saddam had that could be used in WMD programs. These are usually dual-use items—items that have an apparently “civilian” use and are bought as such, but then when coupled with other items, can make WMD goods. If Saddam violated sanctions, as we know for a fact, why should we believe he had respect for other UN demands? And why would he violate such sanctions to gain such items?

5) As shown in the Kay interim report, why was such an enormous amount of material not declared as required by the UN?

6) Much of the suspected WMDs can fit in a package the size of a palm of a hand. Together, almost all of the WMDs could fit in a two-car parking garage. Why do people expect us to find such items already? Saddam has had 12 years to make programs to deceive Western intelligence, and 4 years to do so without ANY Western interference. And only recently, Coalition forces found fighter jets under the desert sand. If we just recently found huge fighter jets, how can people complain we haven’t found WMD yet?

7) After Iraq admitted producing a certain amount of WMD, disarmament by the UN began. How come a large portion was not disarmed by the UN and Iraq first admitted that it was not disarmed, only to later say they destroyed them “unilaterally”? Why didn’t the Saddam regime just destroy them with UN supervision like the rest of them?

8) There has been lots of evidence that Iraq infiltrated UN inspection and intelligence teams. Why are people surprised the UN didn’t find any WMD?

9) The UN recognized that Iraq was engaged in illicit activity and was not disarming by passing 18 resolutions demanding that Iraq did so. Are we going to believe Saddam Hussein over the world community?

10) With extensive business interests in Iraq, why are people surprised that countries like Russia, France and Germany opposed war with Saddam Hussein’s regime?

11) Bill Clinton is the one who originally put the focus on Saddam Hussein’s WMD possession and links to terrorists. How come when he bombed Iraq in 1998 for four days, there wasn’t such a political outcry that he may be wrong about WMD?

12) It is obvious that weapons would be hidden in the Sunni triangle, the most loyal area to the regime. Today, this area is still not pacified to the extent that would allow a full-fledged search in civilian homes and such. Without the most suspect area fully pacified, why are people jumping to the conclusion that WMDs are a lie?

I would like readers to first read the Kay Interim Report, which should convince any open-minded person that at the very least, Iraq had a research and development effort for WMDs, and was waiting to produce them once inspectors left and/or sanctions were lifted. Scientists were hired that could be quickly transferred to weapons work at a moment’s notice. However, at least one scientist claimed he worked in a chemical/biological program right up to the moments before war. At which point, they could be produced en masse. The media has inadequately reported on the Kay Report, which has a massive amount of evidence against the regime. Among the information is that documents prove that Iraq signed a $10 million contract with North Korea to receive the technology and equipment to made intermediate-range ballistic missiles (the supplies never came). And on the subject of missiles, Kay proved that Iraq was preparing fuel in 2002 that can only be used in SCUD missiles. The Kay Interim Report can be viewed here:

http://www.cia.gov/cia/public_affairs/speeches/2003/david_kay_10022003.html

Iraq’s WMD Efforts

Possible findings of WMDs in Iraq are reported here because it is possible the Administration is holding out on releasing such finds, so it can be presented all at once. Kay has hinted at a full report being released around June-July, 2004.

The United States took a moderate stance on the WMD efforts. It ignored reports of progress. Of these reports, several would conclude that Iraq was helping Sudan and Libya develop ballistic missiles.[1] Iraq’s primary missile research was devoted to improving its 50 Al-Hussein medium-range missiles. Israel’s National Security Council concluded these missiles were being hidden in Iraq, and was making progress. The regime hoped to eventually get UN sanctions lifted, at which point they could be upgraded to long-range missiles.[2] But then 9-11 happened. And as action had to be taken to limit this threat, the intensity of the accusations against Iraq was matched with the intensity of the accusations against the US and UK.

The accusations that the Bush Administration used 9-11 to make a lie about Iraq to cause war are ridiculous. Even before 9-11, the Administration was making such claims (as was the Clinton Administration beforehand). In fact, about a month prior to 9-11, the CIA concluded that Iraq was hiding dozens of Scuds with a range of 650 kilometers and rebuilt missile production facilities. The CIA concluded that by 2015 Iraq would have ICBMs that could reach the United States.[3] Assisting in this effort was North Korea. Using its massive oil revenue (most of which comes in violation of UN sanctions); the Iraqi regime was paying Korea to assist in medium-range missile and nuclear weapons technologies, according to Western intelligence. Former UN inspector Richard Butler raised concern over the cooperation.[4] Butler is also known for recently telling the press that he saw intelligence between 1997 and 1999 that Syria helped Iraq hide WMD, and that suspicious containers were seen being moved in and out.

In early 2001, an Iraqi defector claimed that two functional atomic bombs were in Iraq’s possession, minus the fissile core. He further proved credibility by saying that when UN inspectors were present until 1998, there were 47 nuclear program sites, and now there are 64, and more in progress.[5]

Saddam’s state press even confirmed soon after 9-11 that they had a nuclear program. Babil, owned by Uday, wrote that the heads of the Iraqi Nuclear Energy Authority would accelerate their work and dedicate it to the Iraqi nation and its leader, Saddam Hussein.[6] Throughout 2001, Western intelligence worked to stop Saddam’s efforts to buy stainless-steal tubes that are used in centrifuge programs. Several of which were intercepted.[7] Germany’s BND intelligence agency also reported that Iraqi agents were scouring Asia and Europe for illegal components, and that Iraq still pays thousands of technicians and scientists for illegal weapons programs.[8]

In December 2001, an Iraqi specialist named Adrian al-Haideri defected. He said he worked on secret WMD sites, and that mini-labs were being built in private homes. At the time he defected, 300 hidden sites were being used to conceal WMDs and the associated programs. Often, WMD goods were hidden in fake wells. He explained that in mid-2001, a new effort had begun to buy aluminum tubes for a centrifuge program using front companies. Most of the stuff Iraq needed and couldn’t legally purchase came via Syria.[9] Another defector also claimed to have worked on such secret sites, particularly ones in private wells and under a Baghdad hospital. He said he knew of at least 20 hidden WMD production sites.[10]

Despite the increasing pressure, Saddam Hussein continued his WMD efforts. According to Iraqi officials that defected to Europe in 2002, Iraq had ordered three shipments of Czech medium-range SCUDs, which the Czechs believed were headed to Syria and Yemen. Arriving via Syria, the first shipment had already arrived.[11]

Iraq’s concealment efforts around August, 2002 can also explain why we haven’t found their WMD as of yet. Defectors began providing new intelligence that Iraq was still continuing to receive WMD components and equipment through Syria, and that between June and August, Iraq had abandoned all the previous hidden WMD sites in order to thwart Western intelligence. The sites holding WMD transferred the weapons to mobile vans and new underground facilities.[12]

Just to add more to the idea of the concealment effort, let me pass some information along to you from a Center for Defense Information interview with Rear Admiral Stephen Baker. He explained that WMDs were sealed in wells drilled sixty feet deep, chemical weapons components were in residential basements, under man-made lakes, palace bunkers, and in mobile vans.[13] With this type of dispersal, how could anyone from the beginning think we’d find WMDs in just a few months?

(Excerpt) Read more at worldthreats.com ...

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TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: BIOLOGICAL; CHEMICAL; DESTRUCTION; DEVELOPMENT; IRAQ; LEBANON; MASS; NUCLEAR; RADIOLOGICAL; RESEARCH; SADDAM; SYRIA; WEAPONS; WMD

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This is a superb find!

You posted an excerpt, I'll post the entire article, which, while quite long (which is why I think you didn't post it in its entirety), but it deserves to be captured, just in case the original disappears from the server, which happens.

The author did a remarkable job, including specific references from various articles.

Here it the full article, including the references.

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“WMD: Believe Iraq or Believe the Evidence?”

Compiled By: Ryan Mauro

tdcanalyst@optonline.net



It has been only 7 months since the war in Iraq even began, but charges that the United States lied about Iraqi possession of weapons of mass destruction are seen in the press daily. This report will examine evidence of WMD independently gathered from the press, and where they presently are. Before going further, I wish to make the following points:



1) The intelligence communities of every major country were confident that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction before 2003. These include the United States, Canada, France, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, even Iran and a slew of others. It was a working assumption that such WMD was in Iraq, so much that I never heard accusations that it wasn’t true until the political war heated up in March, 2003.



2) Colin Powell’s presentation at the UN in February 2003 proved that Iraq was deceiving UN inspectors. What is there to hide?



3) In 1995, a high-ranking Iraqi defector proved Iraq was building WMD despite the UN restrictions. After this was revealed, Iraq admitted it had violated UN restrictions. Why should we believe Iraq was in compliance with the UN today, when Saddam hasn’t in the past?



4) As shown in the Kay interim report, there were thousands of items that Saddam had that could be used in WMD programs. These are usually dual-use items—items that have an apparently “civilian” use and are bought as such, but then when coupled with other items, can make WMD goods. If Saddam violated sanctions, as we know for a fact, why should we believe he had respect for other UN demands? And why would he violate such sanctions to gain such items?



5) As shown in the Kay interim report, why was such an enormous amount of material not declared as required by the UN?



6) Much of the suspected WMDs can fit in a package the size of a palm of a hand. Together, almost all of the WMDs could fit in a two-car parking garage. Why do people expect us to find such items already? Saddam has had 12 years to make programs to deceive Western intelligence, and 4 years to do so without ANY Western interference. And only recently, Coalition forces found fighter jets under the desert sand. If we just recently found huge fighter jets, how can people complain we haven’t found WMD yet?



7) After Iraq admitted producing a certain amount of WMD, disarmament by the UN began. How come a large portion was not disarmed by the UN and Iraq first admitted that it was not disarmed, only to later say they destroyed them “unilaterally”? Why didn’t the Saddam regime just destroy them with UN supervision like the rest of them?



8) There has been lots of evidence that Iraq infiltrated UN inspection and intelligence teams. Why are people surprised the UN didn’t find any WMD?



9) The UN recognized that Iraq was engaged in illicit activity and was not disarming by passing 18 resolutions demanding that Iraq did so. Are we going to believe Saddam Hussein over the world community?



10) With extensive business interests in Iraq, why are people surprised that countries like Russia, France and Germany opposed war with Saddam Hussein’s regime?



11) Bill Clinton is the one who originally put the focus on Saddam Hussein’s WMD possession and links to terrorists. How come when he bombed Iraq in 1998 for four days, there wasn’t such a political outcry that he may be wrong about WMD?



12) It is obvious that weapons would be hidden in the Sunni triangle, the most loyal area to the regime. Today, this area is still not pacified to the extent that would allow a full-fledged search in civilian homes and such. Without the most suspect area fully pacified, why are people jumping to the conclusion that WMDs are a lie?



I would like readers to first read the Kay Interim Report, which should convince any open-minded person that at the very least, Iraq had a research and development effort for WMDs, and was waiting to produce them once inspectors left and/or sanctions were lifted. Scientists were hired that could be quickly transferred to weapons work at a moment’s notice. However, at least one scientist claimed he worked in a chemical/biological program right up to the moments before war. At which point, they could be produced en masse. The media has inadequately reported on the Kay Report, which has a massive amount of evidence against the regime. Among the information is that documents prove that Iraq signed a $10 million contract with North Korea to receive the technology and equipment to made intermediate-range ballistic missiles (the supplies never came). And on the subject of missiles, Kay proved that Iraq was preparing fuel in 2002 that can only be used in SCUD missiles. The Kay Interim Report can be viewed here:

http://www.cia.gov/cia/public_affairs/speeches/2003/david_kay_10022003.html





Iraq’s WMD Efforts

Possible findings of WMDs in Iraq are reported here because it is possible the Administration is holding out on releasing such finds, so it can be presented all at once. Kay has hinted at a full report being released around June-July, 2004.



The United States took a moderate stance on the WMD efforts. It ignored reports of progress. Of these reports, several would conclude that Iraq was helping Sudan and Libya develop ballistic missiles.[1] Iraq’s primary missile research was devoted to improving its 50 Al-Hussein medium-range missiles. Israel’s National Security Council concluded these missiles were being hidden in Iraq, and was making progress. The regime hoped to eventually get UN sanctions lifted, at which point they could be upgraded to long-range missiles.[2] But then 9-11 happened. And as action had to be taken to limit this threat, the intensity of the accusations against Iraq was matched with the intensity of the accusations against the US and UK.

The accusations that the Bush Administration used 9-11 to make a lie about Iraq to cause war are ridiculous. Even before 9-11, the Administration was making such claims (as was the Clinton Administration beforehand). In fact, about a month prior to 9-11, the CIA concluded that Iraq was hiding dozens of Scuds with a range of 650 kilometers and rebuilt missile production facilities. The CIA concluded that by 2015 Iraq would have ICBMs that could reach the United States.[3] Assisting in this effort was North Korea. Using its massive oil revenue (most of which comes in violation of UN sanctions); the Iraqi regime was paying Korea to assist in medium-range missile and nuclear weapons technologies, according to Western intelligence. Former UN inspector Richard Butler raised concern over the cooperation.[4] Butler is also known for recently telling the press that he saw intelligence between 1997 and 1999 that Syria helped Iraq hide WMD, and that suspicious containers were seen being moved in and out.

In early 2001, an Iraqi defector claimed that two functional atomic bombs were in Iraq’s possession, minus the fissile core. He further proved credibility by saying that when UN inspectors were present until 1998, there were 47 nuclear program sites, and now there are 64, and more in progress.[5]

Saddam’s state press even confirmed soon after 9-11 that they had a nuclear program. Babil, owned by Uday, wrote that the heads of the Iraqi Nuclear Energy Authority would accelerate their work and dedicate it to the Iraqi nation and its leader, Saddam Hussein.[6] Throughout 2001, Western intelligence worked to stop Saddam’s efforts to buy stainless-steal tubes that are used in centrifuge programs. Several of which were intercepted.[7] Germany’s BND intelligence agency also reported that Iraqi agents were scouring Asia and Europe for illegal components, and that Iraq still pays thousands of technicians and scientists for illegal weapons programs.[8]

In December 2001, an Iraqi specialist named Adrian al-Haideri defected. He said he worked on secret WMD sites, and that mini-labs were being built in private homes. At the time he defected, 300 hidden sites were being used to conceal WMDs and the associated programs. Often, WMD goods were hidden in fake wells. He explained that in mid-2001, a new effort had begun to buy aluminum tubes for a centrifuge program using front companies. Most of the stuff Iraq needed and couldn’t legally purchase came via Syria.[9] Another defector also claimed to have worked on such secret sites, particularly ones in private wells and under a Baghdad hospital. He said he knew of at least 20 hidden WMD production sites.[10]

Despite the increasing pressure, Saddam Hussein continued his WMD efforts. According to Iraqi officials that defected to Europe in 2002, Iraq had ordered three shipments of Czech medium-range SCUDs, which the Czechs believed were headed to Syria and Yemen. Arriving via Syria, the first shipment had already arrived.[11]

Iraq’s concealment efforts around August, 2002 can also explain why we haven’t found their WMD as of yet. Defectors began providing new intelligence that Iraq was still continuing to receive WMD components and equipment through Syria, and that between June and August, Iraq had abandoned all the previous hidden WMD sites in order to thwart Western intelligence. The sites holding WMD transferred the weapons to mobile vans and new underground facilities.[12]

Just to add more to the idea of the concealment effort, let me pass some information along to you from a Center for Defense Information interview with Rear Admiral Stephen Baker. He explained that WMDs were sealed in wells drilled sixty feet deep, chemical weapons components were in residential basements, under man-made lakes, palace bunkers, and in mobile vans.[13] With this type of dispersal, how could anyone from the beginning think we’d find WMDs in just a few months?

Many people have said that Dr. David Kelley, who reportedly killed himself after being accused of leaking to the press doubts about British intelligence on Iraq (this is still being disputed), is evidence that the West lied. This is completely untrue, as Dr. Kelley is known to have advocated strong action against Iraq and even said himself that Iraq had a nuclear program. The Observer reprinted an article he wrote where he said that the Iraqi strategy to avoid being caught was to destroy materials when necessary. He said that Iraq had established 2 commissions to search for weapons and documents, which were led by Rashid Amer, the former head of Saddam’s concealment program. The commission was to recover weapons that were “unilaterally destroyed” without UN supervision. He also noted that as part of the deception effort, Amer al-Saadi, a former head man to conceal WMD, was assigned as the spokesman to talk to the press about Iraqi disarmament.

Iraq’s preparations to deprive the West of finding their WMDs increased in November of 2002. While inspectors tried to find weapons, dissidents were reporting that the weapons were being hidden in mosques, hospitals and schools. Because today the Coalition avoids searching any mosques, it is highly likely that they would be placed there. An Iraqi civil engineer also reported that since 2001 Saddam had begun building new underground shelters and tunnels to hide weapons labs and storages. The engineer claimed that he personally worked in an underground lab to make nerve gas. To avoid interviews by UN inspectors, Iraq also sent key scientists outside the country on fake passports. The Iraqi National Accord claimed that two scientists fled to Yemen, two went “elsewhere” in the Middle East, one went to Romania, one to Malaysia, and one to Singapore. Simultaneously Iraq was moving sensitive documents and materials to civilian sites, and small-weapons production was moved into larger industrial sites.[14] Of course, efforts to hide WMDs occurred simultaneously as efforts to gain WMDs also continued. In September of 2002, employees from the suspected nuclear site at Badr were caught trying to buy missile components and equipment from the Ukraine.[15]

Kelley also wrote that Iraq’s key nuclear research and designs teams remained in place. Saddam was still developing missile technology, especially the fuel propellants and guidance systems. Iraq also recovered chemical reactors destroyed prior to 1998 for “civilian use”. Biological fermenters and agent dryers, transportable production units for chemical and biological weapons, and other items were being made in defiance of the UN.[16] Kelley is also known to have written a paper consisting of proof that Saddam retained the technical capability, knowledge and material for construction of radiological dirty bombs up to the time of the war.[17]

Before the war, in January 2003, “Jassem Abdullah”, a senior bodyguard on the inner circle of the regime, was reported by intelligence sources to have revealed the extent of the WMD programs. He probably defected before January, but Gordon Thomas’ Globe-intel.org managed to get intelligence from his defection at that time. Thomas also managed to receive classified intelligence documents revealing even more. Among the information (later corroborated by Israeli intelligence sources) the defector contributed:

--the presence of an underground chemical weapons facility at the southern end of the Jadray Peninsula in Baghdad

--SCUD assembly plant near al-Ramadi with North Korean missiles

--Two underground bunkers in the western desert with biological weapons

--Defector “Mahmoud” says five bunkers with warheads similar to the ones the inspectors “found” are buried under purpose-made sand dunes

--WMDs are hidden in a tunnel complex and beneath the sewers of Baghdad

--WMDs are also in an underground complex north of Tikrit

--Complexes were built five years ago, some with the help from Chinese engineers.

Colin Powell’s presentation at the UN in February provided more proof that Iraq had WMDs. Among the information was:

--Iraq had bulldozed and graded areas to conceal evidence of chemical weapons

--Iraqis were seen using decontamination vehicles and cargo vehicles to move supplies out of sites right before inspections

--Phone conversation intercepts indicated effort by Iraqis to hide nerve agents by transporting them in vehicles before inspections

--Defectors reported that rockets filled with germs were dispersed in the western desert

--Electronic intercepts showed efforts to hide missiles

--Intelligence that there were 15 suspected munitions bunkers, 4 with active chemical munitions

--Confirmed “cleanup” operations at nearly 30 suspected weapons sites

--Defectors report the presence of 18 mobile bio labs

--By mid-November 2002, Iraqi intelligence and scientists finished training on how to evade inspections and resist interrogations. Intelligence agents often pretended to be scientists at weapons sites.

-Since 1998, Iraq has tried to get high-specification aluminum tubes from 11 countries that can be used as rotors to enrich uranium. Iraq also is trying to get uranium and high-speed balancing machines for a gas centrifuge program. Many attempts to get magnet production plants.

--The UN had 108 inspectors, outnumbered by Iraq’s 20,000 intelligence officers. Who thinks the inspectors can outwit such a number?

--Powell also explains the wide range of things the Iraqis did to evade inspections. It is obvious they were deceiving the UN and hiding something.



In January, US intelligence indicated that Iraq was moving prohibited weapons to private homes, mobile sites, and underground facilities. Weapons-making machinery was moved to Tikrit.[18] Defense officials also said that Iraq was converting railroad cars into mobile weapons labs.[19]

During the war, it is possible we missed evidence of WMD. The family of an American soldier killed in Iraq has gone to the press, explaining that their relative had died of a mysterious pneumonia-like illness that ravaged his major organs. This occurred right after he had helped search and clean up one of Saddam’s Presidential Palaces. They are convinced he had some exposure to chemical weapons contamination, and noted that there were 100 similar cases they knew of since March 1st.[20] Not far into the war, two mobile labs used to make biological weapons was found. Some people today claim they are for civilian use, but we must remember that the one van tried to escape Coalition forces. Both were covered in decontamination agents, so we wouldn’t be able to prove bios were made in them. And finally, four Iraqis including a chemical engineer have claimed to have worked with the vans as part of a covert WMD research effort.[21] Soon after the war began, a little story simply faded away the day after it was printed. According to the Washington Times, the British received information on March 29th that Iraqi troops in Basra had tested chemical warheads in 82-mm mortar rounds.[22] After the story was printed, no further information to confirm or deny the incident has been given.

Israeli television also reported in late March that Iraq was hiding missile launchers and SCUDs on specially designed trucks that were often hidden under bridges. Brigadier-General Vincent Brooks said that pictures of Iraqi military vehicles near mosques and schools had been taken, as well as pictures of communications equipment near historical sites.[23] Could weapons be hidden in these civilian sites?

In April of 2003, a former top UN weapons inspector named Bill Tierney explained his confidence that Iraq had a robust nuclear program. He says he knew “first-hand” that the reprocessing of uranium was taking place at a nuclear research facility about six miles from Tarmiya. The site had an underground chamber where they used calutrons in an effort to separate electromagnetic isotopes. The facility us beneath a power plant and a water-treatment plant. He testified that his team detected radiation at the site.[24] In late April, it should also be mentioned that a 55-gallon barrel was found in northern Iraq that tested positive for sarin. Later on, it was reported that further testing indicated it was not sarin, but there has been no word out as to if small traces could be found (indicating it once was exposed to sarin).[25]

American forces also took over a Baghdad complex where intelligence indicated chemical weapons were tested on dogs in 2002. It was heavily looted. Broken parts of lab equipment was found and indicated that there was once a full-scale lab here. One part of the complex had rows and rows of chemical precursors and other dual-use materials that can be used for either civilian or military purposes. Another part of the complex had remnants of a lab—shelves were pulled from the wall, and bottles and vials were broken.[26] Speaking of looting, we need to track the looting incidents in order to see where WMDs may have been hidden. The Kay Interim Report concluded that much of the looting was actually Iraqis connected to the regime removing incriminating evidence. That would explain why an underground facility in northwest Baghdad was looted, as well as al-Qaim (a site suspected of being used to extract uranium). Al-Qaim had stores of uranium yellowcake which could be used to make nukes, and was heavily guarded by the Republican Guards. Although 16 55-gallon drums that were highly radioactive (suspected of being yellowcake) were found, the place was mostly looted.[27]

In May, it was revealed that seven nuclear sites had been looted. Chemical elements, scientific files, containers with radioactive materials, enrichment machinery, centrifuges, technical disks, key reactor components, vacuum pumps and valves were all stolen or buried.[28] Reports also indicated that the “looters” stole air-conditioning units that let loose hundreds of biologically-modified flies, which makes me wonder, were these intended for evil use? At a major nuclear site, al-Tuwaitha, computers and electronic equipment was also stolen. At least one door to a stock of enriched uranium was broken, and metal drums filled with spent fuel were also missing.[29]

Other suspicious sites were also found. Iraqi officials before the war explained that Saddam ordered WMD work to be done in plants that produce conventional arms and in factories that have civilian purposes. At an ammunition plant near Karbala, American forces found explosive-proof glass and packages, one of which contained a drying oven and sophisticated lab equipment. Dual-use items that can be used for military purposes, but bought as “civilian items” were also found. In another abandoned building that had not even been completely built, American forces found liquid chemicals in boxes. The boxes were labeled “instant full cream milk powder” written in English.[30] It is interesting because so often dual-use items, which Saddam reportedly used for WMD production, are found at the suspected WMD sites. So is it a coincidence that at one such site the suspicious materials were boxed with a label in English?

American forces also seized a suspected chemical weapons site just south of Baghdad in early April. Inside were thousands of boxes of white powders (as used in explosives), atropine (an antidote to fight the effects of nerve gas) and Arabic documents on how to fight chemical warfare.[31] At an Iraqi air base in Kirkuk, two tests of discovered warheads showed traces of nerve agents. Each warhead had a green band which is the symbol for chemical weapons. Later on, we learned they weren’t WMDs, but like said before, we haven’t heard since if there were traces of chemical weapons on there, or if further testing found them to be chemical weapons. Along with this discovery came a much more important discovery. A former Iraqi air force colonel at the site, claiming to be a former commander of the air-base, told Coalition forces he knew that there were 120 missiles within an 18-mile radius of Kirkuk, including at least 24 loaded with chemical weapons.[32]

Coalition forces also found 20 missile warheads ready-for-fire near Baghdad in early April, suspected to be chemical weapons. Chemicals in huge metal drums near Karbala were also found. Initial testing showed the missiles had mustard and sarin in the warheads. The barrels had lewisite, sarin and tabun, but according to some sources, later tests showed them just to be pesticide. Later reports indicated they were not WMDs, but like we said, considering the possibility that the Administration is holding out on such finds, it is possible later tests indicated traces of weapons or weapons themselves. We simply don’t know. For now, we must assume they are not WMDs. However, what is interesting is that the same day there was a report that sarin and mustard gas was found in an Iraqi BMP armored personnel carrier.[33] We have never gotten any information about the conclusion of the subsequent investigation.

In the middle of the summer, the Coalition found its first direct evidence of chemical and biological weapons. Mass graves at Baqubah indicated that the people killed were subject to biological and chemical experimentation. David Kay, according to leaked reports, had videotaped testimony of Iraqi officers confirming the experiments, and mentioning that each stage of the experiment on each individual was recorded. As far as the press knows, forensic experiments, interviews, and autopsies are still ongoing regarding this potential evidence.[34]

On June 25th, it was leaked to the press that an Iraqi scientist came to Coalition forces, and showed them parts of a centrifuge system (used to make nuclear weapons) hidden in his backyard in Baghdad. He said he was ordered to hide the parts in 1991 so that they could be used once the nuclear program was revived.[35] In July, the pressure to find WMD was enough to make the CIA declassify a report that said they had found (before the war) “compelling evidence” Iraq was trying to build a program to enrich uranium, and they had “high confidence” Iraq was continuing and expanding programs for ballistic missiles, and chemical and biological weapons.[36] To be honest, the political pressure was ridiculous. David Kay had already mentioned he had found 7.5 miles of documents[37] and Senator Jack Reed mentioned that there were still 2,300 individual ammunition supply points to be secured in the north alone that we knew about.[38] The 2002 National Security Estimate report also could be referenced, as it said that from intelligence including electronic intercepts, Iraq probably had genetically-modified biological weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with route-planning software and a topographic database to use such weapons.[39]

Among the large amount of defectors that provided the West with information, was a senior brigadier-general in Iraqi intelligence who said that they set up a network of secret cells with mini-labs in 1996 to rebuild WMDs once UN sanctions were lifted. Each cell had between three and four scientists not identified by the UN. The cells operated in safehouses centered around Baghdad. After 1997, Saddam Hussein switched the personnel involved so that Western intelligence couldn’t identify them. The intelligence officer says he played a role in illegal purchases using front companies, but also said there was no WMD production that he knows of.[40] As tips flowed in, it became apparent that some weapons were not destroyed after 1991. Two informants claimed to have seen mysterious metal containers buried in the desert right after the Gulf War. Two people who went to dig it up had died of a weird illness.[41]

Not long after the war began, an Iraqi scientist told Coalition forces that Iraq was indeed working on chemical and biological weapons. He led Coalition forces to precursor chemicals (the material needed to make WMDs), clearly indicating that Iraq kept the materials separate in this manner to excuse their selves if they are found. At a moment’s notice, they would be made into operational weapons. He also testified that some weapons were destroyed, others were sent to Syria, and that from what he knew, Iraqi scientists worked on weapons that couldn’t be easily detected by UN inspectors, and couldn’t easily be identified as weapons without investigation.[42]

A senior bodyguard on the regime’s inner circle who is referred to as “Jassem Abdullah” is known to have provided Western authorities with lots of good information when he arrived to safety in Amman, Jordan. He explained that the WMDs were hidden in the western desert, and the sites were equipped with cameras so that if Western personnel came, the weapons could be moved around. He said other sites were in Baghdad and Tikrit. The site he talked about the most was at Ouja (near Tikrit), which is a peninsula of sand dunes and bunkers. He said WMDs were moved there in early 1991, and mentioned that Russian and Chinese technicians could be found there. An underground network attached to the site had stores of ballistic missile components, and there were giant emergency depots to hold tons of conventional weapons.[43]

On June 21st, the American forces captured top-secret coded equipment and piles of documents that referred to an Iraqi nuclear program. However, the amount of intelligence gained from the site was limited because the Iraqis had burnt selected parts of documents and selected parts of nuclear sites.[44]

By August, David Kay began talking about what he had found in Iraq. He said he had “solid proof” from interviews, intercepted communications, documentation and physical evidence that Saddam had ordered the Republican Guard to use chemical artillery shells on Coalition forces. He theorized that they lacked the time to launch due to the high speed of the Coalition advance. He said he is hearing rumors that when the attack failed to be organized, some of the weapons were dumped in the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.[45]

Even today, the majority of the world community still thinks Iraq had WMD. Iran has said this, as has most of Europe, along with Australia. Even the head of Germany’s BND intelligence agency has said he believes weapons of mass destruction were in Iraq at the time of the war.[46]

David Kay has recently come out saying he was “amazed” that people are already calling the search a failure, and said that he would find “remarkable” things in Iraq. He mentioned they had already found one vial of botulinum toxin hidden since 1993 in the refrigerator of an Iraqi scientist. The same scientist was ordered to hide anthrax but they passed the job to someone else when he refused to because he had children around. Kay claimed to be “actively searching” for 1 specific cache of toxins with a supply of anthrax. He said he was hot on the trail of SCUD missiles and anthrax.[47] Kay also confirmed that Saddam Hussein had sent convoys to Syria full of Iraqi equipment in the months prior to war, and we are unaware of what it contained. He said it was possible it was WMDs but there was no way to know. He confirmed that senior Iraqi scientific and military officials who would have access to technical documentation and knowledge of the programs fled to Syria and Jordan immediately before and during the war.[48]

Kay also confirmed that he had received reports of WMD components and material going to Jordan, Iran and Syria.



Where Are They?



First, let us remember that Iraq has hundreds of underground structures that may house WMD. The mass amount of potential sites for WMD means that we just need time to find them. As stated, Iraq abandoned the previous sites we had intelligence on in August 2002, and switched to new sites.

Second, please remember how poor American intelligence has been since the period after the Soviet Union collapsed. The intelligence communities have been turned politically correct, downsized, and hamstrung. As far back as fall of 2001, there were reports that although we knew for a fact Iraq had WMD, we were having trouble identifying the specific sites and specific times of where they were present. We relied too much on satellite technology, instead of human intelligence. Additionally, the WMD search was planned so late it was “impossible” for the military to conduct the search effectively, especially without adequate government assets.[49]

Third, please remember that General Franks said on April 13th that 2-3,000 sites were poised for inspection that we knew about, but only 5 to 15 sites were inspected daily.[50] That all being said, let’s look at how things played out with regard to intelligence on WMD.

The major transfer of WMD goods from Iraq to Syria and Lebanon occurred between January and March of 2003. However, the first shipments occurred even before then. In December of 2002, Israel claimed that Syria was hiding Iraqi mobile biological weapons labs, chemical and biological components and munitions.[51] The shipments were reportedly negotiated between Bashar Assad’s younger brother, Maher, and Saddam Hussein. Following their meeting, Syria agreed to harbor WMDs and officials should inspections begin again.[52]

Between January 10th and March 10th, the transfer of Iraqi chemical (and possibly biological) weapons to Syria and Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley was completed. They were placed in giant tankers and taken to Syria, and then to the Bekaa Valley under the protection of Syrian special forces and air-force intelligence units. Syrian army engineers then took over supervising the tankers at the poppy fields and used special drilling equipment to dig holes approximately 20-26 feet across and 82-115 feet deep. The weapons were buried under the poppy fields grown for heroin and under the rows of cotton plants in two of the most fertile regions of Lebanon. This is done because the local population is farmers (less dense population) and the poppy and cotton fields will grow over the holes extremely quickly. This is at the valley stretching between Jabal Akroum, the town of al-Qbayyat and the Syrian border. Weapons were also hidden at the land between the towns of al-Hirmil and al-Labwah between the Orontes River and the Syrian border. Israeli satellite photos showed it occurred at night and the crews wore protective suits. The local farmers were reportedly bribed into not saying anything, but we can also not rule out threats. Intelligence sources indicate that satellite photos prove the whole transfer here took place.[53]

On January 17th, according to Italian sources, Saddam Hussein signed a secret agreement with Syria. Iraq would send three CDs of formulas and technical information about weapons including nuclear explosions; 3 test-tubes full of anthrax and botulinum spores; and detailed analysis of tests carried out with these weapons on people to Syria, in exchange for Syria harboring Iraqi scientists, technicians and their information. By the end of February, three Iraqi microbiologists and a small group of technicians would be at safety in Syria, and a top nuclear physicist and his team soon arrived in early March.[54]

In mid-February 2003, Saddam’s cousin (who also had a role in chemical weapons production) Ali Hassan al-Majid (“Chemical Ali”) went to Damascus to help oversee plans for the transfer of high-ranking Iraqi leadership figures and weapons. He oversaw the transfer of Iraqi military technicians into Syria, disguised as Syrian soldiers, to watch over the weapons. Syria and Iraq reinforced their agreement to hide, among other things, medium-range al-Hussein missiles in Lebanon and Syria in holes dug by Syrian intelligence and engineering corps.[55]

It is believed by Israeli intelligence that in March, Iraq moved WMD from sites in Baghdad to the al-Anbar region, which has deep underground bunkers. The supplies were transferred there using some of the same tankers that were used to transfer other WMDs to Syria and Lebanon. The al-Anbar region extends from an area west of al-Ramadi, up to the al-Qaim site. There is a key underground site at al-Qaim (near the Syrian border)—an area surrounded by deep canyons. There are similar underground networks at al-Ramadi and the area between Tikrit and Samarra.[56]

Not long after the war began, an Iraqi scientist confirmed that unconventional weapons and technology was sent to Syria beginning in the mid-1990s.[57] The same man later reported that four days prior to the 48-hour ultimatum given to Saddam, the Iraqis set ablaze a warehouse where biological-weapons research and development was conducted. Several months up to the war, Iraq began burying chemical precursors and sensitive material to hide them for later use. Others, like he said, went to Syria. Cooperation may also have occurred with Iran, albeit at a more limited volume. Michael Ledeen has written that the CIA probably missed a shipment of enriched uranium into Iran in the mid-1990s.[58] According to Ledeen, Iraq signed an agreement with Iran in January. Chemical and biological weapons components would be given to Iran. Most of the supply would be transferred using hundreds of coffins that are thought to contain remnants of Iranian soldiers from the war in the 1980s. In return, Iran would allow suicide bombers into Iraq to help fight the Coalition forces and would help destabilize the situation similar to the way it was in Lebanon in the 1980s.[59]

At the end of April, at least 6 scientists that worked at different research institutions in Baghdad confirmed they were ordered to destroy some bacteria and equipment and hide the rest of their lab work in their homes. The order was given out in the months before UN inspectors arrived. When inspectors were in Iraq, they would be told just hours before they arrived to destroy fungi and bacteria, and hide the rest. E.Coli was also hidden, which was being used for research but could also be used as a biological weapon.[60] In May, Coalition forces came across another interesting Iraqi. The press reported that they were in the process of interviewing a mid-level intelligence officer that had extensive knowledge of an Iraqi assassination program that involved using chemical and biological weapons, particularly ricin and sarin.[61]

By the end of May, the United States began sincerely considering that WMDs had moved to Syria, as Israel had claimed. US intelligence indicated that over the past year, Iraqi expertise and components for biological weapons had made their way to Syria, and that at the present time, at least a dozen Iraqi WMD scientists were in Syria. Syria now possessed a wide range of WMD components and advanced conventional weapons from Iraq. Chemical/biological weapons munitions and warheads from Iraq, according to US intelligence sources, were now at Syrian military bases north of Damascus. Senior officials in Assad’s regime, including Bashar Assad’s brother-in-law Assaf Chawkat were pointed as complicit in the transfers.[62]

As intelligence was gathered, by late June, Israeli Air Force commander Halutz was confident enough to predict that Iraq’s WMD would be found, probably in Syria. The West identified Mustafa Tlas, the Syrian defense minister, as the man in charge of the secret WMD transfers to Lebanon and Syria from Baghdad, Tikrit and al-Qaim. The intelligence indicated some weapons were destroyed, some left in Iraq underground, and others sent to other countries. Much of it was buried under an army base in northern Syria and in huge pits made by Syrian engineers in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.[63]

It soon became clear that there was an effort to, at the least, transfer Iraqi technical knowledge and expertise to Syria. Bashar Assad’s regime was believed to be hiring WMD scientists from Iraq, and to possibly be housing components for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Jaffar Jafffar, the “father” of Iraq’s nuclear program, fled to Syria. Along with most of the top Iraqi leadership, the heads of the suspected WMD programs fled to Syria. After much Western pressure, Syria eventually expelled these figures, but today they are still not talking and providing information. Of course, though, such figures were extensively trained in anti-interrogation techniques and probably were coached on what to say by Syria. I highly suggest, if you are interested in the transfer of Iraqi leadership figures to Syria and elsewhere, to read my article, “The Flight of Iraqi Officials.”

In the middle of summer, Israeli intelligence remained confident that Iraq had moved WMD components, equipment, material and scientists to Syria, while preserving the dual-use items in Iraq, knowing that they’re presence would not confirm nor deny the suspected programs. What couldn’t be moved was hid very well. To stop the West from getting adequate intelligence from individuals, the programs were compartmentalized, so no single individual knew much of the programs except for what he or she directly worked on. The items that were not moved were hidden in the western desert and the homes of civilians in the Sunni triangle.[64] Iraq’s strategy was also to create the components necessary for weapons systems, but to leave them disassembled up the point where they were one step away from being operational. This would allow Iraq to deny they were WMD-related, while still preserving the weapons capability when they decided it was necessary to have one.[65]The respected Jane’s Foreign Report around the same confirmed the assessment that Syria was hiding Iraq’s weapons among its own stockpiles. Jane’s also reported that Syria appeared to be using Iraqi expertise in its chemical weapons tests.[66]

Towards the end of summer 2003, Israel identified the placement of Iraqi WMD goods in Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon. Israeli spy satellites had captured on film several tractor-trailers filled with Iraqi weapons (they assessed them to be WMD later) in the Bekka Valley. The weapons were then connected to strange shipments that occurred between January and the first week of March 2003. Additional information indicated that Saddam Hussein paid Bashar Assad, Syria’s president, approximately $35 million to hide the supplies.[67] Not long after this was reported, additional press reports indicated that privately the United States had begun to suspect that the theory about WMDs in Lebanon to be correct.

The United States concurred that there was evidence that the weapons were in the Bekka Valley, near cells of Iraqi intelligence agents, Hezbollah strongholds, and presences of Syrian and Iranian intelligence cells. The trailers that brought the weapons there came through Syria in January 2003, and among the weapons, so says the report, are believed to be extended-range SCUD missiles and parts for chemical and biological warheads.[68] The missile claim seems to be backed up by more information. In early April, the US spotted an Iraqi SCUD-transporter erector launcher driven by a truck near the Syrian border. It seemed to have come in from Syria, then operated its radar overnight, and then returned to Syria. The launcher appeared to be for an al-Hussein medium-range missile.[69]

Recently General James Clapper, head of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency confirmed that satellite pictures indicated that WMD may have gone to Syria. Of course, because they were inside vehicles, satellites couldn’t see the weapons themselves. Clapper did record a huge increase in the number of Iraqi trucks traveling to Syria before and during the war, particularly between February and March, 2003. Clapper also reminded the press that the Russian Mig-25s had only been found buried in the desert recently, so as to remind the public of how difficult it is to find small WMDs. He also stated that he believed low-level Iraqis were ordered to hide and destroy some evidence before the war, and moved some critical documents outside the country. Other documents and WMD goods were dispersed to private homes, under the guise of “widespread looting” which was actually an act of the regime’s employees.[70]

Now, it would be common to ask for the reason the Bush Administration has not revealed that WMDs are in Syria and/or Lebanon. According to Israeli intelligence sources, it is likely because exposure of that would lead to a domino effect where evidence would leak out that Iraq’s programs had roles played by Egypt, Syria, Libya and Saudi Arabia. Such leaks will enflame the region and especially Iraq, and make things much harder, resulting in a more bloody and costly war and diminishing likelihood that other countries would send forces in.[71] Additionally, people would be skeptic, saying it was a lie so that the war-mongering neo-cons were trying to justify a new conquest. The other side would put enormous pressure to bring the war to Syria—a war we are not yet ready to fight.

One also major point—there is significant evidence that Iraq had a joint program with Libya for nuclear and biological weapons. At times, the best Iraqi nuclear experts would be in Libya. Logically, we can suspect that a significant portion of the Iraqi nuclear program is now in Libya. However there haven’t been specific reports on this, so I decided not to investigate to the length I did for Syria.



Russia



The highest-ranking Communist bloc defector, Ion Mihai Pacepa (defected from Romania when it was still Communist) has warned that Russia has an interest in having Iraq’s WMDs disappear. He explains that Russia had a key role in Saddam receiving the weapons initially, and had a secret operational plan to make them “disappear” should it become necessary. The plan was called “Sarindar”, or, “Emergency Exit”. Pacepa played a key role in Operation Emergency Exit in Libya. The goal of the plan? To remove all WMDs from any third world ally that was being invaded by the West. The plan, he writes, originally developed for Libya (and to hide Russia’s complicity in the activity) was quickly expanded to other allies of Russia including Iraq. As a bonus, the operation “would frustrate the West by not giving them anything they could make propaganda with.”

WMDs would be burned or buried deep at sea (in Libya’s case, most likely underground for Iraq), but technical documents would be preserved in small water-proof containers for future use. All the plants for WMDs would have a civilian cover, so the West could not prove they were WMD sites. The plan involved an intense propaganda campaign, in which the politicians making the accusations towards the Soviet/Russian ally would be mocked. Among the propaganda activity would be anti-Western demonstrations and protests. Pacepa says he knows first-hand that the Operation Emergency Exit was applied to Iraq, because Ceausescu, Brezhnev, Andropov and Primakov all informed him about it. It is interesting that Primakov also is known to be close to Saddam Hussein and to regularly consult with him (and was in Baghdad from December 2002 up until when the war began). Pacepa concludes Russia advised Iraq on how to implement its old Emergency Exit plan.[72]



Pacepa’s theory makes plenty sense. As stated above, a senior bodyguard for the Iraqi inner circle has said Russian technicians were present at a major WMD site. Former head of Biopreparat, Ken Alibek has said that it is likely that Soviet biological weapons were sent to Iraq, and that Russia assisted Saddam Hussein’s chemical and biological weapons programs even after the Soviet Union fell.

The Wall Street Journal’s Robert Goldberg has cited a bioterrorism expert explaining that Russia was Iraq’s main supplier of materials and technical know-how to make anthrax, smallpox and botulism. Former UN inspector Richard Spertzel reports that Russia gave Iraq some fermentation equipment to produce biological weapons, and that Russians on his UN inspection team were “paranoid” about his efforts to uncover Iraq’s smallpox production. Goldberg explained that no nation has helped Iraq rebuild WMDs more than Russia.[73]

It is also well-known that retired Russian generals have gone to Iraq to help guide Saddam Hussein on defending the country from invasion. They were there right up to the days before war. A Russian diplomat in New York in early April 2003 confirmed that several Russian military advisors were in Iraq, and that Putin knew about it. The Russian advisors were teaching the Iraqis how to fight urban warfare, and not to engage on open fields.[74]

Captured files also show that Russian agents informed Iraqi intelligence on the status of US war preparations, and gave them a heads-up that the war would begin in mid-March.[75] On March 26th, US troops south of Baghdad claimed to have found Russian chemical warheads with a launcher and a chemical weapons specialist. A reporter with the Third Infantry Division confirmed the incident.[76] We heard nothing about it afterwards. It is highly possible, in my opinion, that the US covered the story up, because it would upset our “ally”, Russia. If going public with such a claim would hurt the chances of Russia helping get international forces in Iraq or to help with Iran, then that would explain why such a cover-up occurred. Of course, that is assuming the story is true.

The conclusion of the report is that there is no conclusion. Will the United States take action against Syria? Did Russia have a role in the disappearance of the WMD? All that is left is questions unanswered. But one thing is for sure, there is a geopolitical game being played with the US, and the WMDs are just a tool in that game. Thus, all these questions can be summed up in one question: Does the United States care enough about the game to just accept its war against Iraq, and to proceed with winning the game?

---

[1] World Tribune, August 14, 2000.

[2] World Tribune, February 25, 2000.

[3] Middle East Newsline, August 13, 2001.

[4] Middle East Newsline, June 9, 2000.

[5] Jerusalem Post, January 29, 2001.

[6] World Tribune, November 10, 2001.

[7] Washington Times, July 26, 2001.

[8] Geostrategy-Direct.com, March 13, 2001.

[9] Insight Magazine, September 30, 2002.

[10] Reuters, December 22, 2001.

[11] The Guardian, April 29, 2002.

[12] World Tribune, August 12, 2002.

[13] Center for Defense Information, November 22, 2002.

[14] UK Telegraph, November 17, 2002.

[15] The Observer, September 22, 2002.

[16] The Observer, August 3, 2003.

[17] Sunday Times, August 4, 2003.

[18] Washington Times, January 17, 2003.

[19] Washington Times, January 3, 2003.

[20] London Sunday Telegraph, August 5, 2003.

[21] Associated Press, May 28, 2003.

[22] Washington Times, March 30th, 2003.

[23] WorldNetDaily.com, March 26, 2003.

[24] WorldNetDaily.com, April 28, 2003.

[25] New York Post, April 28, 2003.

[26] New York Times, April 23, 2003.

[27] Newsweek, June 15, 2003.

[28] Washington Post, May 10, 2003.

[29] New York Post, May 5, 2003.

[30] New York Times, April 23, 2003.

[31] New York Times, April 4, 2003.

[32] WorldNetDaily.com, April 12, 2003.

[33] New York Post, April 8, 2003.

[34] Debkafile, July 22, 2003.

[35] CNN, June 25, 2003.

[36] New York Post, July 19, 2003.

[37] Newsmax.com, July 16, 2003.

[38] Washington Times, July 4, 2003.

[39] Geostrategy-Direct.com, July 29, 2003.

[40] Orlando Sentinel, June 8, 2003.

[41] Newsweek, June 15, 2003.

[42] New York Times, April 24, 2003.

[43] Debkafile, July 10, 2003.

[44] Associated Press, June 21, 2003.

[45] Boston Globe, August 8, 2003.

[46] Geostrategy-Direct.com, August 5, 2003.

[47] New York Post, October 6, 2003.

[48] Agence France Presse, October 4, 2003.

[49] Washington Times, September 3, 2003. A secret report for the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported this.

[50] International Herald Tribune, April 13, 2003.

[51] WorldNetDaily.com, June 23, 2003.

[52] Insight Magazine, May 28, 2003 citing Middle East Intelligence Bulletin.

[53] Debkafile, May 1, 2003.

[54] New York Post, March 22, 2003. Michael Ledeen citing Italian paper, Il Fogio.

[55] Debkafile, April 3, 2003.

[56] Debkafile, June 26, 2003.

[57] New York Times, April 24, 2003.

[58] Washington Times, October 22, 2003.

[59] New York Post, March 22, 2003. Michael Ledeen citing Italian paper, Il Fogio.

[60] Associated Press, April 23, 2003.

[61] UPI, May 8, 2003.

[62] Geostrategy-Direct.com, May 20, 2003. Middle East Newsline, May 9.

[63] Debkafile, June 10, 2003.

[64] Geostrategy-Direct.com, July 29, 2003.

[65] Debkafile, July 22, 2003.

[66] Jane’s Foreign Report, July 29, 2003.

[67] Geostrategy-Direct.com, August 19, 2003.

[68] World Tribune, August 25, 2003.

[69] Middle East Newsline, April 7, 2003.

[70] New York Times, October 28, 2003.

[71] Debkafile, August 1, 2003.

[72] Washington Times, “Ex-spy fingers Russians on WMD” by Ion Mihai Pacepa.

[73] Newsmax.com, April 4, 2003.

[74] Newsmax.com, April 3, 2003.

[75] CBS News, April 30, 2003.

[76] WorldNetDaily.com, March 26, 2003.

Ryan Mauro is a geo-political analyst whose web site WorldThreats.com is a recognized top flight source for analysis on the world and nation.  Ryan's keen insight and independent analysis makes him a valuable guest writer and we are proud to offer his work on MILNET.