Posted on 10/29/2001 5:27:36 PM PST by Map Kernow
W A S H I N G T O N, Oct. 29 — Former U.N. weapons inspectors tell ABCNEWS they've learned the anthrax spores found in a poison letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle are nearly identical to those discovered in Iraq in 1994. ABCNEWS also has learned that at least two labs have concluded the anthrax was coated with additives linked to the Iraqi biological weapons program.
Despite continued White House denials, five well-placed and separate sources have told ABCNEWS that initial tests have detected traces of bentonite and silica, substances that keep tiny anthrax particles floating in the air by preventing them from sticking together — making them more easily inhaled.
Inhalation anthrax is far more deadly than the skin form of the disease.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer this morning continued to reject that bentonite has been found on the letter.
"Based on the results of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, it is fair to conclude that that test shows that there is no bentonite," Fleischer said. "Additional tests will be done and we'll try to keep you updated."
As far as is known, only one country, Iraq, has used bentonite to produce biological weapons, but officials caution the presence of the chemical alone does not constitute firm evidence of Iraqi involvement. While it's possible countries other than Iraq may be using the additive, it is a trademark of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's biological weapons program.
"It means to me that Iraq becomes the prime suspect as the source of the anthrax used in these letters," former U.N. weapons inspector Timothy Trevan told ABCNEWS.
In the process of destroying much of Iraq's biological arsenal, U.N. teams first discovered Iraq was using bentonite, which is found in soil around the world, including the United States and Iraq.
"That discovery was proof positive of how they were using bentonite to make small particles," former U.N. weapons inspector Richard Spertzel told ABCNEWS.
But officials cautioned that even if Iraq or renegade Iraqi scientists prove to be the source, it's a separate issue from who actually sent the anthrax through the mail.
"What you have to keep in mind is the difference between knowledge about what type of information you have to have to produce it, and who could have sent it," Fleischer said. "They are totally separate topics that could involve totally separate people. It could be the same person or people. It could be totally different people. The information does not apply to who sent it." Experts say the bentonite discovery doesn't rule out a very well-equipped lab using the Iraqi technique. In fact, commercial spray dryers that Iraq used to produce its biological weapons were bought on the open market from the Danish subsidiary of a U.S. company for about $100,000 a piece. Starting Thursday, FBI agents began asking company officials in Columbia, Md., if anyone suspicious in this country had recently acquired one of them.
Oh no, not the hook again. ;-)
And don't forget Ireland--Eire (same Indo-European root as "Iran" and "Aryan"). Those guys have lots of terrorists, don't they?
I get enough disinformation from the government, thank you. I'd rather they just shut up about it than spread stories with a "politically correct twist."
Actually, they are claiming that the first test done at the 'Armed Forces Institute of Pathology' showed no bentonite. They did however state that addiitonal tests will be done and they will 'try to keep you updated'. Seems odd that the White House would make such a strong statement after only performing one test. Especially since ABCNews claims other tests DID show bentonite. Also seems strange that they will only 'try' to keep us updated.
RIGHT
Like the Aryan Nations sickos.
We've reached the spin cycle.
This is a knee slapper. Anyone who bases the results from AFIP and concludes there is no bentonite is insane. It's funny, these people go through their little press conferences and act like everything is just fine down at AFIP. I guess it is if cover-up is the daily scheduled program. LOL!
THE BOTCHED RON BROWN INVESTIGATION - Kathleen Janoski
By the way, I never did like that title. It wasn't "botched," it was done "on purpose."
Like the Aryan Nations sickos.
That's a possibility. But wouldn't Iraq still have responsibility under that scenario? Remember, the theory that Iraq is involved in the anthrax mailings does not assume that Iraq was directly involved in any case. Why is the government making such an effort to deflect attention from any Iraqi involvement?
Yep, that's my fear. The FBI has a lot of infiltrators and agents provocateur among these "right-wing hate groups," but probably has had both trouble and reluctance in infiltrating Muslim terror cells here. It's so much easier to set up the "home-grown terrorists," and thereby recoup some of the FBI's credibility after the 9/11 disaster with a showy "win" against "terrorism."
I did do a search, like I always do, and if the article was posted before, it wasn't posted under the title ABC News used.
Now that is certainly true.
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.