Did Saddam’s WMD Go to Syria? Part II

Flopping Aces ^ | 06-19-07 | Scott Malensek

[Starman417]

In December 2002, Russia’s Middle East envoy, Yevgeny Primakov (former Russian Intelligence Chief), flew to Baghdad under the front of making one last chance for peace with the dictator. As soon as his plane landed, it was allegedly loaded with “sensitive materials” and flown directly to Belarus. People speculate as to whether or not it was WMD, WMD equipment, documents, people, or things the Russians didn’t want the US to get their hands on, but in any event…the plane was loaded with things the US wanted. He also allegedly brought Russian GPS jammers to confuse American satellite-guided bombs, night vision goggles, special anti-tank missiles, and Russian advisors.

American forces found the jammers, and that’s no secret since the Air Force was happy to boast that the jammers were ineffective (USAF just boosted the signal from their satellites so that it was “louder” than those from the jammers).

Syria and Russia both sent night-vision sights and goggles to Iraq, and they were recovered by American forces.

The anti-tank missiles did stop an Abrams tank and kill its crew. Others reportedly were ineffective, but evidence of their use is indisputable given the unique signature that their shaped charge left on the tanks that were hit.

Two Russian Generals, Gen. Vladimir Achalov, a former commander of airborne and rapid-reaction forces, and Gen. Igor Maltsev, a leading expert in air defense systems were reported in Baghdad up until 6 days before the war. During their “visit” they were photographed being given medals by Iraqi Defence Minister Sultan Hashim Akhmed. Other smiley photographs include the two Russian Generals standing with head of the General Staff of the Iraqi Army Izzat Ibragim between them. Upon their return to Russia, the generals were asked why they went on a “last-chance” diplomatic mission. They replied, “We didn't fly to Baghdad to drink coffee.” One wonders if all the elements of the story were proven true, could the claim of “special weapons” being moved out be less true than the other elements?

Immediately after the arrival of the Russians in Baghdad, retired USAF Lt Gen. James R Clapper Jr-then head of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency-monitored an increasing flow of traffic and communication from Iraq to Syria. Former head of the UN’s WMD inspection group, UNSCOM, Richard Butler, was asked to review the imagery. He agreed that Iraq appeared to be moving weapons out of Iraq, but did not think that “the Iraqis wanted to give them to Syria, but…just wanted to get them out of the territory, out of range of our inspections.” Syria was prepared to be the custodian of them.” The entire idea was nearly identical to when Saddam sent his entire air force to Iran for safe-keeping during Desert Storm.

Israeli intelligence (flush with human intelligence sources in the region-particularly in Syria, and Lebanon) reported that the increased traffic was Saddam’s repositioning of WMD to Syria. On December 23, 2002, Ariel Sharon stated on Israeli channel 2 television, "Chemical and biological weapons which Saddam is endeavoring to conceal have been moved from Iraq to Syria.” About three weeks later, Israel's foreign minister repeated the accusation. The U.S., British, and Australian governments issued similar statements.

Opponents to the war like to point to the 1000+ pages of the Duelfer Report and summarize it as “NO WMD,” but there’s a lot more to Moby Dick than 5 letters. Not even an elementary school student would dare turn in a 5-letter book report on Melville’s epic. Similarly the ISG’s report contains a lot more than just “NO WMD.” It is a resounding verification that, yes, there was a great deal of ‘something’ secreted out of Saddam’s Iraq into Syria. While the ISG doesn’t claim that it was in fact WMD in those trucks, it does leave that door open because of the clandestine nature and the assembly areas for the convoys that left Iraq for Syria would be consistent with WMD, WMD equipment, documentation, and even personnel.

Given that there is so much evidence that Saddam’s illegal weapons, programs, documents, and equipment existed and were moved rather than did not exist and were destroyed, it seems that logic has turned. There’s simply more evidence it was moved than there is any evidence of WMD destruction. Yet, the debate from those who oppose prefers to ignore evidence and pretend that fictional evidence of destruction exists. That door to reality is creaking open for the opposition, and as such it’s no wonder that the anti-war movement is shattering, the Democratic Party is spinning, and opponents to the war are confused.

Part one here.

[wolfcreek]

“Second - He knew that if he used them on the US, the response would have been nuclear (at least with this President).”

I believe that was the protocol during the Bush I Admin.

[VirginiaConstitutionalist]

The story is simply not true.

#1 - Chemical and biological weapons leave behind chemical signatures, much like radioactive materials leave behind a signature. That’s how we found the old stuff after the first war. No traces this time.

#2 - What military dictator GIVES UP weapons as a preparation for invasion? Using WMDs against American troops would have made him a god in the eyes of Islamic militants.

#3 - Why send them to Syria? Do people who push this theory really think he thought we’d invade, overthrow him, not find any weapons and put him back in power?

#4 - If it’s even remotely true, why isn’t Bush telling people or pressing Syria on the issue? Do the people who push this think he loves watching his legacy destroyed?

This utter conspiracy nuttery is becoming our “electronic vote stealing.”

[Milligan]

Maybe Bush is protecting people who were involved with the UN OFF Scandal?

Look at Duelfer’s Report about Illicit Procurement.
Many countries are involved.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/report/2004/isg-final-report/index.html

Maybe WMD went to Libya?

Why did the leader of Libya gave up his WMD program after Saddam was captured?

I was reading Qadhdhafi was terrified he was going to be next on the axis of evil but Qadhdhafi claims it was not our presence that made him give up his WMD.

He’s trying to save face.

Bush Administration are keeping quite for political leverage?

[Milligan]

“...so iraq disarmed per UN agreement then, right?”

Reminds me of a meth lab getting wind of a police raid.

What do you do?

If you have enough time....move your illict ware to your friends house...the search warrant is only good for your house.

When the police come they have a empty house.
Now embarrass the police when you take them to court.

[Milligan]

Well, how about this.
Saddam did not need large stockpiles.

“Just In Time” Break Out Capability.

“Iraq’s Real Weapons Threat” by Rolf Ekeus, June 29, 2003

Column by Former Head of UN Inspections Effort in Iraq

“the Iraqi policy after the Gulf War was to halt all production of warfare agents and to focus on design and engineering, with the purpose of activating production and shipping of warfare agents and munitions directly to the battlefield in the event of war. Many hundreds of chemical engineers and production and process engineers worked to develop nerve agents, especially VX, with the primary task being to stabilize the warfare agents in order to optimize a lasting lethal property. Such work could be blended into ordinary civilian production facilities and activities, e.g., for agricultural purposes, where batches of nerve agents could be produced during short interruptions of the production of ordinary chemicals.

This combination of researchers, engineers, know-how, precursors, batch production techniques and testing is what constituted Iraq’s chemical threat — its chemical weapon. The rather bizarre political focus on the search for rusting drums and pieces of munitions containing low-quality chemicals has tended to distort the important question of WMD in Iraq and exposed the American and British administrations to unjustified criticism.”

http://www.usembassy.it/file2003_07/alia/A3070202.htm

From 2005

http://www.asanltr.com/newsletter/05-5/articles/055b.html

[WhiteGuy]

you bet

[Ooh-Ah]

Remember how Saddam moved his airplanes to his arch enemy Iran during the 1st Gulf War? He does have a history of moving what he doesn’t want us to get.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Part III is on the Blog....with some interesting thoughts....

[txhurl]

ping