[driftless]

I find it somewhat unbelievable that Iraqi scientists would lie to Hussein about the WMDs. Why would they lie to a maniac who would not think twice about having them executed on the spot over a trifle much less the existence of chem and bio weapons which Hussein had used a number of times in the past. All Hussein would have to do is send one of his flunkies out to check on the weapons. Does anyone really think that Hussein would fail to dispose of a scientist who had lied to him. I mean would you lie to Hussein knowing what the consequences would be?

[rogue yam]

Does anyone really think that Hussein would fail to dispose of a scientist who had lied to him. I mean would you lie to Hussein knowing what the consequences would be?

The argument, as I understand it, is that these scientists were responsible for WMD progress that they were unable to attain and therefore they lied in order to avoid execution for this failure. I don't know of any evidence to say that this was true. In fact, it seems that this theory is purely speculative. But if a dictator said to me "Go to your lab and make me some WMD, and if you fail I shall be highly displeased" and then he subsequently called and asked how things were going, I might say "Pretty well but I need some more time."