Kuwait Foils Biochem Arms Smuggling From Iraq

Dow Jones Newswires ^ | October 1 | AP

[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.

[No Blue States]

Just checking in for the latest on this potentially very important story.

wolrdnetDaily has it up too now,FWIW.

[Lee'sGhost]

Hey, Trib, would love to know if Glen generated any excitment with the listeners. This thing still seems to be alive yet unacknowledged.

[Tribune7]

It's still just bubbling. The guy filling in for Rush mentioned it about an hour ago.

[No Blue States]

From WND article: Saddam's weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, some have turned up in Kuwait, according to Kuwaiti newspaper ** Al-Siyassah.**

Im not sure how credible Al SEyassah is, they however do believe themselves to be credible, or course:

"Dar Al-Seyassah is now Kuwait's leading publishing house. It is also one of the largest and most moderns printing plants in the Middle East. There are three Dar Al-Seyassah publications - all with Pan Arab distribution.

Over the past 32 years Al-Seyassah has build a unique reputation in the Arab World for hard-hitting, investigative journalism and independent political comment. It is widely quoted by international news agencies as an informed observer of events in the Middle East. Exclusives, many with the jarallah by-line, are quoted internationally.

A broadsheet daily, averaging 32 pages, it is one of the most successful advertising mediums in the Middle East. Five pages of Business & Finance, four pages of People, backed by the Arts, TV programs, Culture, Services, The World, Issues & Opinions, comprehensive Sports coverage, announcement of government tenders, make it required reading for Arab businessmen.

Al-Seyassah is in the remarkable position of being the only Arabic newspaper to be distributed uncensored throughout Saudi Arabia. This unequalled advantage over all other newspapers has enabled Al-Seyassah to become the voice of the Arab people, reflecting their opinions while keeping them informed about current affairs.."

alseyassah@alseyassah.com

[Lee'sGhost]

This is maddening.

[No Blue States]

I feel the same. Wishing this story would be proven false or true. Its suprising to me that Drudge, WND, AP, among others have it out, but its still getting little traction.

I dont get it, if true this should be everywhere imo.

While at the same time if it were false, its lasted longer than any other dead lead on WMD ive seen.

[Lee'sGhost]

". . .if it were false, its lasted longer than any other dead lead on WMD ive seen."

Exactly. And here's another way of looking at it. The lib press should be falling over itself rushing to do stories on this "false" report so they can take the opportunity to gloat about WMD not being found yet.

Nothing about this story adds up.

[No Blue States]

Great observation, that didnt cross my mind.
You know they would be all over proving it false if they could.

[VOA]

bump

[Steve_Seattle]

"Kuwaiti security sources told Reuters on Wednesday the report on the seizure of such weapons was baseless."

So does this mean that the report that biological weapons were captured was false, and what they really have are smuggled archeological artifacts?

[Pete]

So does this mean that the report that biological weapons were captured was false, and what they really have are smuggled archeological artifacts?

Clearly, that is what Reuters wishes to communicate. I would point out that in yesterday's AP story, there was no mention of artifacts. I have not read the original story since it is in Arabic but it appears to me that the artifact aspect of this story was not part of the original.

[No Blue States]

WMDS and Artifacts look so much alike it hard to tell the difference, at 1st?

Ps: Im questioning the change in their story, not you.

[dpayton]

It may be telling that the Hindustan Times web site no longer lists this story on either its main page, or in the World section that it was originally under.

[wayoverontheright]

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....

Une porte francaise, posiblement?

[Fitzcarraldo]

Tom Sullivan mentioned this story as he was filling in for Rush today.

[Fitzcarraldo]

I was able to bring it up at

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_399454,00050004.htm

But it took a couple of refreshes to connect to the page.

[AndyTheBear]

Same goes for when they found those mobile trailers with chemicals in them

Correction: there were more then innitial reports on two of the mobile trailers. Tests were run and they came back positive for traces of chemical/bio weapons. That makes the two labs real, but the rest of the stuff you sited, including this latest report is probably not.

[AndyTheBear]

Hoping for verification, this would be great news if proven true

Don't hold your breadth, I'd give it one chance in a thousand.

[No Blue States]

I checked it a couple of hours ago too and it was still there, it also showed todays date, Oct 2nd.

Does it appear now that this story was either false, or covered up?

Is it strange that only Reuters got the new WMDless storyline and no one else?

Confusing, guess im on the unbeliever list for now until or unless something else transpires.

[watchwoman]

Bump for later