Posted on 08/23/2004 1:09:07 AM PDT by kattracks
Anti-coalition forces have killed a prominent Iraqi chemical-weapons scientist whom U.S. investigators were questioning at Abu Ghraib prison, in an attempt to unravel the mysteries of Saddam Hussein's arsenal.
The scientist's death is not the first such killing, and it has some U.S. analysts wondering whether there is a pattern and also whether the Iraqi insurgents had incredibly good intelligence and a deadly aim -- or were just lucky.
Last spring, according to two defense officials, the United States detained an Iraqi scientist who was active in the nation's development of chemical weapons.
The man, whom the sources declined to identify, was not cooperative at first. The Iraq Survey Group (ISG) had him held at Abu Ghraib prison for further questioning. He seemed to be ready to offer up valuable information.
But then one night, the insurgents fired a volley of mortar rounds into the prison. One landed near enough to kill the chemical expert. Any chance that he might have disclosed information on what happened to Saddam's stocks of chemical shells vanished in the explosion.
The death is at least the fourth hostile-fire killing of Iraqi scientists who had been talking to the ISG. There have been press reports that as many as nine have been slain.
One of the country's most prominent nuclear scientists, Majid Hussein Ali, was found dead earlier this year, shot twice in the back. He had been questioned by the ISG.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Gee, ya think?
Why didn't we take these key people (and their families) out of country for interrogation so they are free to talk???
Sounds like a major screwup to me.
It sounds like a mole to me. Inside information is making its way to the insurgents.
Yes, this is a MAJOR screwup. What are they thinking in not having at least protection for these people? Now we're left with silence and questions remain regarding what is going on with the WMD.
I have long thought the "insurgents" have been coordinating with members of the Left - someone, somewhere.
Let's not attribute to plan that which is most probably coincidence.
One of those great untold stories that our beloved leftist media ignores is the fact that the most significant prisoner abuse that occurs at Abu Ghraib is when prisoners are injured or killed as a result of mortar or artillery attacks from the antigovernment forces, which occur on an almost daily basis.
Kind of puts the nekkid pitchers/panties-on-the-head stuff into perspective, doesn't it?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.