Anthrax dumped near Saddam palace

An Iraqi scientist has told U.S. interrogators that her team destroyed Iraq's stock of anthrax in 1991 by dumping it practically at the gates of one of Saddam's main palaces, but never told U.N. inspectors for fear of angering the dictator. Rihab Rashid Taha's decision in 2003 to remain silent stoked suspicions of those who contended Iraq still harbored biological weapons, contributing to the U.S. decision to invade Iraq two years ago this month. "Whether those involved understood the significance and disastrous consequences of their actions is unclear," the CIA-led Iraq Survey Group says of Mrs. Taha and colleagues in its final report on the search for Iraq weapons. "These efforts demonstrate the problems that existed on both sides in establishing the truth."

* Rihab Taha aka "Dr. Germ": Iraqi. A cunning woman scientist who heads Saddam Hussein's bio-terrorism team Rihab Taha, 45, is so notorious that United Nations weapons inspectors have nicknamed her "Dr. Germ" for deadly experiments she conducted. - "SECRETS OF 'DR. GERM'," by BILL HOFFMANN, New York Post , 10/22/01
*
She is also politically well-connected. Her husband is Iraqi oil minister Amir Rashid Ubaydi, who helps direct the country's relations with the U.N. weapons-inspection teams. U.N. inspectors believe Rihab Taha, who has a 5-year- old daughter, tests her poisons on human guinea pigs. Dr. John Turner, who once taught Rihab Taha biology, told London's Sunday Mirror: "It's a great shock, like finding your daughter has gone and done something dreadful." - "SECRETS OF 'DR. GERM'," by BILL HOFFMANN, New York Post , 10/22/01

AUGUST 1991 : (IRAQ) UNSCOM’s first biological inspections team arrives in Iraq. They are given a one-page statement that acknowledges that they performed biological research for defensive military purposes.
   Between 1991 and 1998 UNSCOM succeeded in identifying and destroying very large quantities of chemical weapons and ballistic missiles as well as associated production facilities. The IAEA also destroyed the infrastructure for Iraq's nuclear weapons program and removed key nuclear materials. This was achieved despite a continuous and sophisticated program of harassment, obstruction, deception and denial. Because of this UNSCOM concluded by 1998 that it was unable to fulfill its mandate. The inspectors were withdrawn in December 1998.
   From Iraqi declarations to the UN after the Gulf War we know that by 1991 Iraq had produced a variety of delivery means for chemical and biological agents including over 16,000 free-fall bombs and over 110,000 artillery rockets and shells. Iraq also admitted to the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) that it had 50 chemical and 25 biological warheads available for its ballistic missiles.
   UNSCOM discovers samples of indigenously-produced highly enriched uranium, forcing Iraq's acknowledgment of uranium enrichment programs and attempts to preserve key components of its prohibited nuclear weapons program.-- via "Bio-Chemical Weapons & Saddam: A History, " Various Sources , 02-20-03 , by PsyOp

SEPTEMBER 1991: (IRAQ) CIA identifies 8 sites suspected of germ production. On the list is Al Hakem which the Iraqis claim is just a warehouse, but is surrounded by security fences spaced 2 miles apart. When inspectors arrive the Iraqis change their story and say that it is a factory for making animal feed. At the time of their visit it is in fact making animal feed, but suspicions are aroused because of medical quality of the equipment and the fact that the plant is staffed by highly trained micro-biologists.
It would later be proved that this facility had been one of Iraq's primary bio-weapons production lines, making tons of Botulinin and Anthrax. It is a perfect example of a “dual-use” facility.-- via "Bio-Chemical Weapons & Saddam: A History, " Various Sources , 02-20-03 , by PsyOp

I had problems with that story. Why would she risk dumping the anthrax at the doorstep of the palace which was surely guarded?

I don't believe it either. Even if SOME were destroyed, its hard to believe that, under voluntary and un-observed conditions, that ALL of it was destroyed.

One reason to continue to lie? Well, if a small sample could be located, it could be tested, and it could be determined to be the SAME anthrax used in the US 9/11 aftermath attacks.

When inspectors arrive the Iraqis change their story and say that it is a factory for making animal feed.

Sure, and factories making animal feed need security fences 2 miles apart.

Just as a point of trivia that's the same claim Cuba made about its suspected biowarfare facility- the one Jimmy Carter dropped in to visit but wasn't let in. It too had rather high security for an animal feed plant.

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