Posted on 03/21/2007 8:03:45 PM PDT by ikez78
Iraqs former embassy in Greece added to list of Hussein's international terror outposts
A recent story in the Greek news outlet Ekathimerini, pointed out to Regimeofterror.com by Dr. Laurie Mylroie, reported on previously undisclosed evidence implicating Saddam Husseins regime in international terrorism aspirations. The report reveals an incident in which a number of items were secretly removed from Iraq's embassy in Greece during the run up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The items removed fit a pattern of behavior but also raise a number of questions.
Ekathimerini reported that it had been made aware of "a joint operation by Greek and US secret service officers in March 2003 (which) led to the seizure of a large cache of explosives from the basement of the Iraqi Embassy in Athens." The types of explosives reportedly discovered were particularly noteworthy . "Sources said a raid on the embassy unearthed explosive materials, car bombs, detonators, several guns and dozens of rounds of ammunition. Much of the material was ready to use while some was too old to be of any value, according to sources who said all the material was destroyed within a few weeks of discovery."
The presence of car bombs, explosives and the other materials in this instance would indicate that Hussein's Iraq had used it's Greek embassy just as it had used it's embassy's in the Philippines, Jordan, Prague, and Yemen in recent years, as a hub for terrorism. This is to say nothing of Iraqs planned international terror attacks in London (as reported on page 53 of the Iraqi Perspectives Project) or the attempted bombing attack by Iraqi operatives in Bahrain during the runup to the invasion of Iraq (Senate Intelligence Report: Phase II).
This discovery follows Iraqs modus operandi of using their embassies and diplomatic privileges as cover for hiding and moving weapons/explosives/equipment abroad for potential terror attacks.
These were not the first time Iraq had dipped its toe in the waters of international terrorism. In 1998, in what some viewed as a possible buildup to war between the U.S. and Iraq, U.S. News and World Report cited intelligence officials saying over 30 teams of terrorists, each team consisting of 2 to 3 men had been dispatched by Baghdad in 1991 and indicated that similar attacks may take place against U.S. interests again in 1998 in the case of a war with the U.S.. (It should also be noted that those in the intelligence community were said to be split during this time period as to whether or not Iraq had already dispatched similar teams of terrorists at this point.) The men, who were disguised as businessmen, used Iraq's diplomatic pouches to move automatic weapons, explosives and timers to embassies around for planned attacks. Former deputy director of the State Department's counterterrorism office during the Gulf War, Larry Johnson, told U.S. News and World Report in the same piece that car bombs, assassinations and hostage taking were "likely scenarios."
With the discovery of Greece as a front in Iraqs pre-invasion international terrorism attempts maybe Americans will even one day be made aware of what the other 6 or 7 countries are which U.S. government officials told the Washington Post's Walter Pincus were targeted anti Western bombings by Iraqi Intelligence.
Saddam Hussein , Iraq, terrorism
PING
Excellent article. The most important information we learned from the captured Iraqi document is that Saddam Hussein was much more involved in terrorism than any intelligence agency has estimated.
Thanks Joseph. There are still a number of attempted attacks that haven't been revealed it seems. What's the holdup?
Check your email by the way.
The "holdup" is that many people do not want to talk about the truth, people in the intelligence community, politics, and of course the media.
Thanks for the ping....lots of people might find this of interest.
No prob. Thanks for the interest. I really think this is something that can't be allowed to be overlooked in the Iraq discussion. This story only represents a sliver of Hussein's intentions though as many on this board already know.
Thanks. Head of state, dead terrorist method-of-operation bump!
Ping; aren't you of Greek background?
bump
Ekathimerini reported that it had been made aware of "a joint operation by Greek and US secret service officers in March 2003 (which) led to the seizure of a large cache of explosives from the basement of the Iraqi Embassy in Athens... Sources said a raid on the embassy unearthed explosive materials, car bombs, detonators, several guns and dozens of rounds of ammunition. Much of the material was 'ready to use' while some was too old to be of any value.. The presence of car bombs, explosives and the other materials in this instance would indicate that Hussein's Iraq had used it's Greek embassy just as it had used it's embassy's in the Philippines, Jordan, Prague, and Yemen in recent years, as a hub for terrorism.
"US secret services could not determine why the weapons cache had been kept at the embassy, although the possibility that it had been destined for use in a terrorist attack during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games has been ruled out."
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100012_05/03/2007_80826
Thank you very much for this ping.
High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel, WOT
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Thanks for the ping!
this is yet one more reason why saddam had to go. Not that the left cares.
no problem. if you can forward it along to any media contacts,friends i'd greatly appreciate it.
The left really refuses to engage on this topic, even though a guy they quote so often, Larry Johnson, is on the record about this stuff.
-the AGENDA is that "bush lied, people died" - so how does this fit in to further that? it doesn't so they just ignore it.
it's funny because i spent some time in the media business and still talk to a lot of people from big press outlets and they just yawn at this stuff. total disinterest, you'd have to see it to believe it.
Check out the Larry Johnson link in the article...
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