Posted on 10/01/2003 12:37:34 PM PDT by Pete
KUWAIT CITY (AP)--Kuwaiti security authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle $60 million worth of chemical weapons and biological warheads from Iraq to an unnamed European country, a Kuwaiti newspaper said Wednesday.
The pro-government Al-Siyassah, quoting an unnamed security source, said the suspects had been watched by security since they arrived in Kuwait and were arrested "in due time." It didn't say when or how the smugglers entered Kuwait or when they were arrested.
The paper said the smugglers might have had accomplices inside Kuwait. It said Interior Minister Sheik Nawwaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah would hand over the smuggled weapons to an FBI agent at a news conference, but didn't say when.
Government officials couldn't be immediately reached for comment.
Iraqi Interior Minister Nouri Al-Badran met Tuesday with Sheik Nawwaf and discussed cooperation between the two countries in security matters. His visit is the first by an Iraqi interior minister to Kuwait since 1990.
Surely this smuggling operation has been an ongoing affair. It will be interesting to see what other weapons were delivered to this "unnamed European country."
Whether the warheads are armed or not is irrelevant. It is simply more proof that he had an active WMD program and contrary to reports by the media that he destroyed everything to bluff us into obliterating his regime.
I'd be interested in what European country would be paying 60 million for empty warheads however, real interested.
Clarification: The administration never alleged that Iraq "acquired" the yellow cake. The allegation was that Saddam was "trying to acquire" yellow cake. Besides, we never said it, we cited the Brit's allegation that he was trying to acquire it.
My impression is that, having reported several stories about WMD discoveries, the media is simply trying to get absolute confirmation before they run with this. That plus the fact that as much as we are hoping this is true, they are hoping its false.
If you were the smuggler, what would be easier to smuggle without getting caught - A case of nasties, or 15 truck loads? It makes perfect sense that what may get smuggled out of the country would be in smaller increments.
This is key. IF there was to be a news conference the news media would have known by now. The original post is nearly 5 hours old, an eternity in the media.
Seeing that no media outlet is telling us about possible breaking news at an upcoming news conference, I am beginning to believe there is something wrong with this story.
sure_fine is a newbie. Either a re-signup or a troll. Or maybe not. But if a lurker, the poster would recognize "hugh."
David Kay is testifying tomorrow on WMDs in Iraq. I would be very surprised if he did not address this story - even if only to dismiss it. He would look pretty stupid if he didn't mention it and it turns out to be true. Anyway, here is hoping for clarification.
That, and they may want to wait for an administration spokesman to make the announcement. This has three advantages to the media: (1) It makes the administration appear to be boasting, (2) Liberals (i.e. their loyal fan base) will be less likely to believe it, and (3) If it proves to be false, the media won't take the fall, and in fact can then start a series of stories about Bush misleading the public.
I have the same thoughts. Could it be that the US government is trying to delay the media response to this while they round up other parties in Europe? Its hard to believe the media would cooperate with Bush to this extent however. I'm puzzled?????
A Trol? Cool...
See there... even though you're new you've come up with something that might work it's way into the FR vernacular. :-)
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