Posted on 12/31/2002 9:23:22 PM PST by Colorado Doug
NEW YORK: Iraq has admitted to testing a missile with a range that violates international weapons regulations. Thirteen test flights of the Al-Samoud ground-to-air missile, which uses imported components, had exceeded the UN-set limit of 150km (90 miles), the chief UN weapons inspector, Hans Blix, told the Security Council.
The greatest range achieved in the tests was 183km. Mr Blix said the inspectors had ordered Iraq to suspend development of the missile.
Iraq was barred from developing missiles with a range of more than 150km after its 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Mr Blix told the 15-member council that Iraq’s 12,000-page “full, final and complete declaration” on its weapons of mass destruction had little new information.
The revelation about the Al-Samoud missile was contained in a separate Iraqi report to the inspectors. There was speculation that Baghdad might have volunteered the information to pre-empt a challenge from the Americans, whose intelligence might have detected the tests. Mr Blix criticised the US for failing to provide quality intelligence that would prove the US and British claims that Iraq was still concealing its weapons of mass destruction.
—Independent
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_22-12-2002_pg4_1
AND FROM THE IRAQI NEWS AGENCY
INSPECTIONS AT THE AL-SUMOUD SITE OF THE KARAMA COMPANY IN ABU GHRAIB WHICH IS USED WORK OF THE MECHANICAL PARTS OF THE MISSILES AND ENGINS UNDER THE ALLOWED RANGES UNDER THE U.N RELATIVE RESOLUTIONS.
AS SOON AS THE TEAM ARRIVED, IT SPREAD IN THE FACILITES OF THE SITE SO FAST IN A WAY THAT ALL THE EMPLOYEES AND ESCORTS NOTICED. http://www.uruklink.net/iraqnews/enews26.htm
"As soon as they entered the site, they spread everywhere, acting like gangs. They went to all workshops and buildings inside the site. They prevented anyone from in entering or exiting. They behaved in a provocative manner."
U.N. spokesman Hiro Ueki, asked about the comments, said a team of experts had counted missile engines at the site, giving no indication they faced troubles.
But he added that "as this was a return visit, the team did not see any need for the whole team to hold discussions with the site personnel" — opening up the possibility the factory manager's anger was a result of cultural differences.
Indeed, Iraqi chief liaison Amin faulted the inspectors for failing to observe the niceties of consulting with the plant's employees, though the U.N. resolution that brought the inspectors here requires no such action.
In his interview with Al-Jazeera, Amin said the missile team members "left their cars immediately and started running inside workshops and in the factory as if something is going to escape them and they want to chase it."
"You know the sensitivity of Arab feelings. ... Such behavior hurt the feelings of the employees and the manager of the site," he said.
The way NK is going on, I think the D-day is a lot sooner then people think. IMHO I think the whole North Korea thing is a direct result of a phone call from Saddam.
Oh no. It's started. Is it too late to just delete the whole thread?
I agree with you on all counts
Oh you're cold hearted. As if I have not suffered enough!
But thanks for fixing it, even if I did have to wait until 2003 to get it fixed. ;)
This all reminds me of how my wife used to correct the spelling and punctuation and send my love letters back when I was dating her.
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