Posted on 03/28/2003 11:27:50 AM PST by Smogger
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States has broken up alleged Iraqi terrorist plots in at least two countries in the Middle East, a senior State Department official said.
The official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the disrupted attacks, planned by members of Iraq (news - web sites)'s intelligence service masquerading as diplomats, had targetted US and western interests.
"We have compromised particular operations in two countries and we have information about plots in other countries," the official said.
"We have indications of widespread threats by the IIS (Iraqi Intelligence Service)," the official added.
The official would not identify the countries in which the attacks had been thwarted but said authorities in those nations had assisted in disrupting the plans.
The official indicated that a US request earlier this month for some 60 countries to expel Iraqi intelligence agents posing as diplomats had contributed to the breakup of the plots.
"The IIS has primacy at Iraqi embassies around the world," the official said. "We have approached number of countries about expelling Iraqi diplomats, many of whom have done so, and we are continuing to work with friends and allies on this."
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