Posted on 10/28/2004 4:06:48 PM PDT by TapTheSource
PENTAGON REVELATIONS -- OMINOUS FOR ANTI-TERROR CAMPAIGN, U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
October 28, 2004 By Toby Westerman Copyright 2004 International News Analysis Today www.inatoday.com
Today's shocking revelations that Russian special forces assisted Saddam Hussein's intelligence units in transporting weapons and other war material out of Iraq raise grave issues for both the war on terror and the fast approaching U.S. presidential election.
Two Defense Department officials described to Bill Gertz of the Washington Times how Russian "spetsnaz" units organized large truck convoys to move Iraq's most powerful weaponry and related material into Syria, Lebanon, and possibly Iran, just before the U.S.-led coalition launched its attack. Russian troops also destroyed evidence of Moscow's military assistance program to Iraq - aid that was illegal under UN sanctions.
The approximately 400 tons of RDX and HMX high explosives from Al-Qaqaa were "almost certainly" included in the clandestine Russian convoys, according to one of Gertz's Pentagon sources.
Moscow denies the assertions, and the Russian embassy in Washington D.C. branded the claims as "nonsense." Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita was "unaware" of the statements, according to early press reports.
If the Pentagon officials' account is verified, Moscow's actions throw an ominous shadow over America's war on terror.
Russia is generally acknowledged to be an important ally in the war on terror, and is increasingly trusted by members of the multi-national anti-terror coalition. Intelligence reports on terror suspects are shared with Moscow, and Russian troops regularly engage in military exercises with other anti-terror coalition members, including the United States.
The statements made by the Pentagon officials put into question Russia's participation in the war on terror, as well as Moscow's trustworthiness as an ally.
Although shocking, the statements of the Pentagon officials fit into a pattern of pro-terror activities already well-established by Moscow.
Russian assistance flows freely to states supporting terror, including North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Syria, and pre-"reform" Libya. Despite devastating terror attacks in Russia, the most recent being the assault on a school in Beslan, Moscow continues to aid those who support the terror networks.
Moscow has consistently criticized or outright condemned U.S. action in Iraq from the beginning of the war. The assertions of the Pentagon officials put Moscow's frequent denunciation of the United States in a new light, and raises serious questions about Russian motivation for those charges.
Recently, Moscow claimed that the U.S. is seeking to make Iraq an American colony, according to the Voice of Russia World Service, official broadcasting service of the Russian government. If the Pentagon officials' statements are verified, it will become obvious that the real threat to peace in the Middle East is not purported U.S. colonization, but, rather, Moscow's alliance with pro-terror regimes.
The statements of the Pentagon officials are also a major blow to the presidential campaign of U.S. Senator John Kerry, who quickly accepted UN claims that the U.S. failed to secure the Al-Qaqaa facility leading to the disappearance of nearly 400 tons of high explosives. The UN assertions have become a major theme of the Kerry campaign in the final days of the.2004 election.
The Kerry campaign, as well as the media which widely reported the UN assertions, are now faced with a stunning turn of events.
The real issue is not supposed U.S. incompetence, but Moscow's inability to tell the truth and the readiness of the "international community" to condemn America.
Russia has chosen sides, Putin endorsed Bush.
"Despite facing some similar attacks from islamists, Russian officialdom continues to criticize Israel's every action (that are especially careful comparing with Russian clumsy disregard to human life). They refused to apply pressure on Iran to stop nuclear developing. There is, looks like, some quiet cooperation between special forces lately, but Russia continues official support of its former(?) Mideast clients."
For Russia's strategy re: Israel and the Middle East,check out the following link...if you want more I have plenty more along the same vein:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1252955/posts
PS Bill Gertz is on Michael Savage right now.
Senator Kerry, on the other hand, is eager to rely on our "allies"
Geese of a feather flock together
The question that seems to be hanging right now seems pretty forthright: Are the new revelations about Russian involvement with Saddam a result of knowing and enthusiastic support by Putin who would therefore be playing a classic "Final Phase" scenario? OR are there still rogue elements that are running an independent operation via old KGB assets and without Putin's knowledge?
"Russia has chosen sides, Putin endorsed Bush."
I think it would be more accurate to say that Putin has given a very tepid endorsement JUST IN CAS BUSH WINS. Putin already knows he's got Kerry's support in the bag.
...Two Defense Department officials described to Bill Gertz of the Washington Times how Russian "spetsnaz" units organized large truck convoys to move Iraq's most powerful weaponry and related material into Syria, Lebanon, and possibly Iran, just before the U.S.-led coalition launched its attack. Russian troops also destroyed evidence of Moscow's military assistance program to Iraq - aid that was illegal under UN sanctions...
.......to Iran and also to the 3 (SH) Mystery Ships to the Sudan and Egypt?
Yea, I was thinking about that today, whatever happened to those ships, I never saw a conclusion to that story?
The question that seems to be hanging right now seems pretty forthright: Are the new revelations about Russian involvement with Saddam a result of knowing and enthusiastic support by Putin who would therefore be playing a classic "Final Phase" scenario? OR are there still rogue elements that are running an independent operation via old KGB assets and without Putin's knowledge?
"You can't let him in here! He'll see the BIG BOARD!"
"The question that seems to be hanging right now seems pretty forthright: Are the new revelations about Russian involvement with Saddam a result of knowing and enthusiastic support by Putin who would therefore be playing a classic "Final Phase" scenario? OR are there still rogue elements that are running an independent operation via old KGB assets and without Putin's knowledge?"
Are you talking about the same Putin who was a colonel in the KGB?
The question is, what did the Russians do with it?
Good source, not surprisingly, thanks.
I noticed you ping sometimes to some source discoveries. Please, ping me as well. Thank you.
You're right.
No problem...I will add you to my ping list. Thanks for the nod!!!
It looks like both the US and Russia screwed themselves. The US by its support of Muslim 'militants' in Kosovo and in Afghanistan, and the Russians by their support of other Muslim terrorist groups, not realizing that it would transfer to Chechnya.
I see all foreign policy as a chess game. Move and counter move. Angle for position, try and control the board. I think that in our case at least, we failed to calculate the moves and consequences far enough in advance. We were looking five moves ahead instead of the obligatory ten moves in the future.
Russia has tremendous mineral wealth, oil, gold, diamonds, just to name a few, and he who controls the government controls that wealth, ultimately. IMHO,380 tons of RDX, properly applied, could easily topple more than one regime.
"The vestiges of the old system are cash poor and hardware rich. Perfect match for out of work spooks or mercs-are-us."
Or Putin, and his KGB cronies, or in charge of the whole operation. What a wonderful cover..."It's not our fault, our foreign policy has been hijacked by rogue elements of the KGB"!
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.