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Iraq tried to order drones and spray kits (MUST READ!)
The Sunday Times ^ | March 9, 2003 | Jon Swain

Posted on 03/08/2003 3:32:31 PM PST by MadIvan

SADDAM HUSSEIN has been trying to acquire a fleet of 300 drones equipped with spraying devices capable of delivering chemical and biological weapons, it was revealed last week.

Iraqi documents seen by The Sunday Times show orders for kits to make the pilotless planes and for gyroscopes and guidance systems enabling them to be flown at targets from a distance. The documents also contain requests for small spraying devices normally used in agriculture that would be specially adapted for use in the air.

Military experts said the drones could pose a serious threat to British troops fighting a war in Iraq. Baghdad admitted that in 1988 it considered using drones to spray biological weapons, but rejected the idea because the craft it had were too small.

According to the documents, the order for the aircraft was made on behalf of the Ibn Firnas industrial centre in northern Baghdad, which is involved in the development and production of drones.

The material, which has been passed to the United Nations inspectors, also revealed Iraq had been trying to develop a rocket capable of travelling 750 miles — eight times the range permitted by the UN.

Details of the orders emerged as the United Nations declassified a report on Iraq’s prohibited weapons programme. Hans Blix, the chief weapons inspector, said there was “credible information” that Iraq never destroyed 21,000 litres of biological warfare agents, including 10,000 litres of anthrax, stored during the 1990 Gulf war. There was also “credible information” that Iraq had 7,000 litres more biological warfare agents in bombs and warheads than it had declared.

Blix mentioned that inspectors had recently discovered an undeclared Iraqi drone with a wingspan of 25ft, which he said had been test-piloted by Iraq and could carry anthrax or other biological weapons to neighbouring countries.

To the fury of British and American officials the disclosure was buried deep in his 173-page report and not mentioned in an oral presentation to foreign ministers. The plane is being studied by inspectors to determine whether it can exceed the authorised range of 92 miles.

Blix’s report noted “a surge of activity” in missile technology and accused Iraq of failing to provide information on where it obtained parts and technology.

It also said mobile, truck-mounted biological weapons units were “inherently difficult to verify” and said Iraq’s “active assistance” was required to conduct road and rail searches. Although no underground chemical or biologial weapons units were found, inspectors may have missed a “hidden entrance”, he said.

The inspectors could also not rule out continued research into biological weapons-related genetic engineering, including smallpox and similar diseases.

The document showing Iraqi’s intended weapons purchases are filled with technical data and specifications. They show efforts by Baghdad to smuggle a wide range of prohibited items into the country for military purposes through Jordan and Syria, using a network of Iraqi middlemen abroad and private companies in Baghdad.

The documents were provided by an Iraqi engineer, who said he was approached by Baghdad to help arrange the purchase of the drones and associated equipment at the beginning of 1999, a few months after Iraq forced all UN weapons inspectors to leave. “When I combined this inquiry with the others and analysed what could happen if smaller sprayers were attached to the planes I realised Saddam was trying to build a delivery system for weapons of mass destruction,” the engineer said.

He said the request from Baghdad had ceased after the inspectors returned last November.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: blair; bush; drones; iraq; saddam; spray; uk; us; warlist
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To: walkingman
What should be happening is all inspection operations should be detailed [jus' the facts, Ma'm] and the written report provided 48 hrs before a question/answer period commences - with Blixie in the hot seat.

YES!!!

He should report and then answer questions. That's all. What a farce.

61 posted on 03/08/2003 5:19:58 PM PST by Mad_Tom_Rackham (Let's Roll Already!)
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To: MadIvan
Stupid Swede Blix is the same moron who said North Korea had no nukes.
62 posted on 03/08/2003 5:28:34 PM PST by Sparta (ANSWER, the new Communist conspiracy for the twenty-first century)
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To: Amelia
Why are people like Blix so hell bent on protecting and enabling Saddam Hussein? I can't begin to understand it.
63 posted on 03/08/2003 5:32:17 PM PST by DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet (Eleven. Exactly. One louder.)
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To: jwalsh07
Yep, I see him as a dangerous man invested in his position on the world stage with no thought at all to the 250,000 Americans and Brits losing their edge in theatre.

Seems to me that there was another traitor from that part of the world...one Vidkun(sp?) Quisling who operated along much the same lines.

64 posted on 03/08/2003 5:36:40 PM PST by Don Corleone
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To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet
Why are people like Blix so hell bent on protecting and enabling Saddam Hussein? I can't begin to understand it.

There are some designs for a new world. A world of puppet countries without sovereignty, contorted by a world gov (UN). Big fat wallets behind that project. They don't like elections, makes them feel insecure. Small rogue countries are supposedly to show that we need to surrender sovereignty in order to preserve order. So Iraq is just a pawn here. And so is Blix.
65 posted on 03/08/2003 5:50:28 PM PST by singsong
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To: MadIvan
Blix and the entire U.N. (which backs him) is corrupt. He has no credibility.

Will that make a whits difference to the Franco-German-Russian-American Left pacifist/appeasers?

No.

There is nothing that can make a difference to them. Being anything other than hypocritical fools they are would violate their religion.

66 posted on 03/08/2003 5:57:18 PM PST by Scott from the Left Coast
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To: MadIvan
Tony Blair has peacenicks,
But Saddam has Hans Blix!!!

Jesus H. Christ.

I'm a European, and I say (after hearing this particularly) move NOW!!! NOW!!!

A man who uses chemical weaponry against his own people, will not think twice about launching it against troops.

Resolutions, MY BACKSIDE.

Act now!!

67 posted on 03/08/2003 6:44:04 PM PST by Happygal
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To: demkicker
WHy should get get out of the UN? Why don't we throw the UN out of the US? Send them all packing and use the UN Building for a useful purpose.

Then the UN can search for new real estate in France, Germany, Russia or Iraq since Saddam "is really trying".

68 posted on 03/08/2003 6:57:47 PM PST by floriduh voter ("Pound that Rock" John Gruden, Super Bowl Night 2003)
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To: thermodynamics
It's time to Pack up and "viciously kick" the pathetic, manipulative, and self serving UN out of our country! Mr. President, shut it down and kick these terrorists out of the UN building and OUR country! The UN is obsolete.....
Be LOUD and PROUD American Brothers and Sisters! It's time to kick the UN OUT!!!!!

I agree 100%, kick the b_stards OUT! A new empty building for rent in NY City.
69 posted on 03/08/2003 7:37:41 PM PST by Ethyl
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To: MadIvan
Although no underground chemical or biologial weapons units were found, inspectors may have missed a “hidden entrance”, he said.

Well considering the fact that they were never allowed on any military bases, I'm not surprised they never found anything!

70 posted on 03/08/2003 7:57:36 PM PST by SuziQ
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To: thermodynamics
With you 100% on that.
71 posted on 03/08/2003 8:45:40 PM PST by LaGrone
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To: MadIvan
Screw this, lets roll over the border right now.
72 posted on 03/08/2003 9:11:42 PM PST by finnman69 (!)
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To: MizSterious
Alas, I'm convinced he's in the employ of someone else, and is being very well-paid.

Yup. Blix is bought and paid for. Saddam buys members of the SC such as France and Germany, and they in turn buy the inspectors. What a cozy little relationship. This mafia needs to be busted.

73 posted on 03/08/2003 9:20:26 PM PST by laz17 (Socialism is the religion of the atheist.)
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To: musicman
Quote:"If you would have let the inspections continue,we would have found these WMD's and then Saddam couldn't have used them!!".....

That's precisely right. It's like telling the cops not to confront an armed criminal because he might start shooting, instead of demanding that the criminal drop his gun. The Left wants us to allow a criminal (Saddam) to continue brandishing his gun and terrorize us with it, yet they want to take guns away from law-abiding citizens. We must invent new words to describe the Left, because "hypocrites" doesn't even begin to cover it.

74 posted on 03/08/2003 9:39:17 PM PST by laz17 (Socialism is the religion of the atheist.)
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To: All

UN Weapons Inspections Team (and a fine singing group, btw)

75 posted on 03/08/2003 9:51:08 PM PST by way-right-of-center (it's easy to hide when no one is looking)
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To: way-right-of-center
Right on..

The other thing that seems to go unrecognized is the fact that the UN inspectors wouldn't even be allowed in Bagdad if it weren't for that "cowboy" Bush, and the only reason The "Sadomizer" Hussien cooperates AT ALL is becuase there's 310,000 American troops at his doorstep. Take them away, and all bets are off.

When, oh when, will the world get this?
76 posted on 03/08/2003 11:14:01 PM PST by Greenpees (Coulda Shoulda Woulda)
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To: Howlin
Scott Ritter --we will lose a battalion of men a day in Baghdad.

I wonder if Mr ritter came up with that estimate somewhere between the weed smoking and the child molestation

77 posted on 03/08/2003 11:26:00 PM PST by way-right-of-center (I need a new tagline)
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To: way-right-of-center
I wonder if Mr ritter came up with that estimate somewhere between the weed smoking and the child molestation

He seems to be mighty quiet lately. Wonder what happened?

BBBBbwaaaaaaaaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

78 posted on 03/08/2003 11:35:21 PM PST by Cold Heat
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