U.S. officials: Woman seen with Saddam on Iraqi TV is top biological weapons scientist

Associated Press | March 27, 2003 | JOHN J. LUMPKIN

[HAL9000]

WASHINGTON, Mar 27, 2003 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- A woman seen on Iraqi television Thursday meeting with Saddam Hussein is believed to be one of the regime's top biological weapons scientists, U.S. intelligence officials said.

The video recording of the meeting, which included other Iraqi leaders, was portrayed as current by Iraqi television, but U.S. officials said it was unclear when it was made.

Intelligence officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the woman among the half-dozen men in the video is Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash, believed to have played a key role in rebuilding Baghdad's biological weapons capability in the mid-1990s.

The officials did not know whether to place any significance on Ammash's appearance in the video. Qusai Hussein, Saddam's younger son and probable successor, also appeared on the recording.

Ammash is among a new generation of leaders named by Saddam to leading posts within Iraq's Baath party, intelligence officials said. In May 2001, she was assumed a high-level post with the Baath party regional command.

She was trained by Nassir al-Hindawi, described by U.N. inspectors as the father of Iraq's biological weapons program, the U.S. officials said.

Ammash and al-Hindawi are among Iraq's top weapons scientists. Others include Amir al-Saadi, a chief chemical weapons researcher, and Dr. Rihab Taha, a woman who was dubbed "Dr. Germ" by inspectors.

Ammash served as president of Iraqi's microbiological society and as dean at Baghdad University, officials said. She attended college in Texas and received additional training in Europe.

She played a role in organizing Baath activities in Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen, officials said.

Her father was a high-level party revolutionary who was believed to have been ordered killed by Saddam, officials said.

Iraqi television has aired two speeches by Saddam and video of several meetings since the war started. None contain any conclusive proof of when they were recorded.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[riri]

Is he sending us a message?

[NautiNurse]

Was this the video that seemed to be spliced together--a woman was there, and then she was not?

[snooker]

>>>Is he sending us a message?

yes. She was in the picture for just that reason. But the threat is likely real.

Did anyone else notice Saddams head looked like it had been glued back on crooked? The mouth was bent, the eyes looked barely open. And the way he was slumped back in the chair says it really hurts. Bet he can't stand up.

This guy has taken a near miss kill shot.

Compare another picture to this B/W image and you will see what I mean. Can anyone put up two TV side by sides?

snooker

[Wordsmith]

Funny, that was my first thought as well.

[martin_fierro]

I saw her in that video and wondered, "Who'd she have to kill to sit at that table with Saddam?"

Now I know.

[cebadams]

IRAQ Report - 25 May 2001, Volume  4, Number  18
http://www.rferl.org/iraq-report/2001/05/18-250501.html

Other notable appointments to the RCC include that of Dr. Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash, widely considered to be "one of the pillars of the weapons program," according to London's "Al-Hayat" of 19 May. She has a Ph.D. in genetics and microbiology from the University of Missouri. According to Radio Baghdad of 19 May, she will be in charge of the Professional Bureau and the Students and Youth Bureau for the RCC.

[LouisianaJoanof Arc]

I would like to see a side by side picture too if anyone has access to one.

[LouisianaJoanof Arc]

Is this really her? She looked much younger in the video if I remember correctly.

[NTegraT]

Was this the lady (loosely) who was experimenting on dogs with nerve gas in the late 80's? I think there were pictures or something on FR about a month ago.

[DD938]

I still say that Saddam is history. These people will do and say anything to have us and the Iraqis' believe he is alive.

[martin_fierro]

Photo source

[OldEagle]

If it's the vid I saw, Saddam looks to have some problems. He didn't use his left arm and hand and it looked like his abdomen was all swollen or casted or bandaged. Something isn't right.

[dalebert]

She looks a lot younger in that video.

[Anamensis]

Oh good, we'll have a female war criminal to prosecute. That'll fill our affirmative action requirements.

[Mr. K]

I agree- the more they trot out these tapes to prove he is alive, the more I am convinced he is already dead

[martin_fierro]

Correction

[knak]

that's Taha

[cmsgop]

DR.GERM!

[SpaceBar]

The photo you posted is not Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash, but Rihab Taha aka "Dr Germ".