Germ Warfare Labs in the Move (in Iraq)

Herald Sun ^ | Nov. 18, 2002 | Herald Sun

[FairOpinion]

AN elusive fleet of nondescript trucks crisscrossing Iraq is believed by Western intelligence sources to be carrying biological weapons.

The suspected mobile weapons labs that rumble along Iraq's highways and crowded streets may look like ice cream trucks, motor homes or 18-wheeler tractor trailer trucks, officials and experts told the Los Angeles Times. But their cargo is believed to be germ agents such as anthrax, botulinum toxin and aflatoxin that theoretically could kill hundreds of thousands in an attack.

The vehicles have been dubbed "Winnebagos of death", and are extremely difficult to find, even with sophisticated sensors.

They now pose one of the toughest challenges for UN weapons inspectors as they return to Iraq today after a four-year absence.

The UN's chief weapons inspector, Mr Hans Blix arrives in Baghdad today and his teams will follow soon after to begin their inspections on November 27.

The US and UN are divided over how aggressively UN weapons inspectors should hunt for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

With UN teams heading to Iraq today, the Bush administration is insisting on the most intrusive inspections possible.

But Mr Blix has argued for a more measured approach, saying inspectors should be firm but never angry and aggressive.

On the eve of his departure, Mr Blix warned Iraq not to play games, and also said he would not tolerate Western spies within his team.

He acknowledged previous inspection missions "lost credibility by being too closely linked with the intelligence organisations of the West". - AGENCIES

[FairOpinion]

Saddam is obviously trying to play the same game, he played successfully for 11 years before. I wonder how much it will take for the UN to realize, admit it and take action. Thank God for President Bush, who will not let them lapse into the same cat and mouse game.

[Sparta]

Anyone who wants to play armchair general and invade Iraq

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/790647/posts
Fantasy Iraq invasion thread

[Blood of Tyrants]

"Winnebagos of death"?

[Rocksalt]

My question has always been how can the UN teams expect to find their caches of bio-weapons when Saddam knows they are coming and where they are.The only way to effectivly hunt for these WMD would be if the country was absolutly flooded with inspectors,so many that Iraq's leadership could not possibly keep tabs on their whereabouts.

[toddst]

The only way to effectivly hunt for these WMD would be if the country was absolutly flooded with inspectors,so many that Iraq's leadership could not possibly keep tabs on their whereabouts.

You make a good point - inspector numbers should be high. I suspect our intelligence info on the mobile labs is better than we're letting on. A few air strikes on these by us might get them parked pretty quick.

[For the Unborn]

Are they ON the move also?

[FairOpinion]

For the Unborn: "Are they ON the move also?"
---

Oh, OK , go pick on a typo. LOL
I noticed it, just as I hit the "post" button ( of course!)

[FairOpinion]

For the Unborn: "Are they ON the move also?"
---

Oh, OK , go pick on a typo. LOL
I noticed it, just as I hit the "post" button ( of course!)

[FairOpinion]

For the Unborn: "Are they ON the move also?"
---

Oh, OK , go pick on a typo. LOL
I noticed it, just as I hit the "post" button ( of course!)

[LuigiBasco]

Is there a Parrot in the house?

[sam_paine]

"Winnebagos of death"?

I saw that movie in the 70's. It was about devil worshippers.

[boris]

"The suspected mobile weapons labs that rumble along Iraq's highways and crowded streets may look like ice cream trucks, motor homes or 18-wheeler tractor trailer trucks, officials and experts told the Los Angeles Times. But their cargo is believed to be germ agents such as anthrax, botulinum toxin and aflatoxin that theoretically could kill hundreds of thousands in an attack."

Well, send in the Predators and Hellfires whenever we spot a convoy of ice-cream trucks, motor homes, or 18-wheelers moving in Iraq.

--Boris

[wharfrat]

Finding just one of these should not be too difficult. All we need for confirmation is only one! Then we call in the Air Force, after evacuating the entire country of course and sit back and watch the showdown happen!

[Rocksalt]

Yes,inspector numbers should be high.Ideally,if about 10,000 US GI's could become UN inspectors suddenly and really comb through the whole country,making thousands of suprise inspections,that would be satisfactory.

[wcbtinman]

"He acknowledged previous inspection missions 'lost credibility by being too closely linked with the intelligence organizations of the West.'"

Excuse me, but isn't an inspection regime just an overt "intelligence" or "spy" program?

I should think that we would want nothing but intelligence operatives on the inspection team.

[yoe]

The suspected mobile weapons labs that rumble along Iraq's highways and crowded streets may look like ice cream trucks, motor homes or 18-wheeler tractor trailer trucks, officials and experts told the Los Angeles Times. But their cargo is believed to be germ agents such as anthrax, botulinum toxin and aflatoxin that theoretically could kill hundreds of thousands in an attack.

Headlines... All ice cream trucks, 18 wheelers, Motor homes have tires slashed!

All flat tired vehicles being inspected by UN personnel!

[maxwellp]

It's my personal opinion that President Bush is going along with the U.N. inspections - for now. They will fail and President Bush will then tell the U.N. "Sorry, U.N., you are quite useless and America can no longer fund your organization". And without the American taxpayer support, the U.N. will disappear. Good bye and good riddance.