In brief, between 1999 and 2000 the French realize that someone is working abandoned mines to generate a brisk clandestine trade in uranium. Who is purchasing the smuggled uranium? The French are looking for an answer and Rocco Martino senses an opportunity.
But according to Joe Wilson in his infamous NYT op-ed:
Given the structure of the consortiums that operated the mines, it would be exceedingly difficult for Niger to transfer uranium to Iraq. Niger's uranium business consists of two mines, Somair and Cominak, which are run by French, Spanish, Japanese, German and Nigerian interests. If the government wanted to remove uranium from a mine, it would have to notify the consortium, which in turn is strictly monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Moreover, because the two mines are closely regulated, quasi-governmental entities, selling uranium would require the approval of the minister of mines, the prime minister and probably the president. In short, there's simply too much oversight over too small an industry for a sale to have transpired.
Well, well, what have we here?
The French are aware that uranium is being smuggled out of Niger by persons having access to abandoned uranium mines.
But Joe Wilson, our CIA's man in Niger, concludes, solely from conversations with some has-beens (remember, he was barred by our embassy from talking with current government officials and businessmen) while sipping mint tea by the hotel pool, that it would be impossible to smuggle uranium out of Iraq.
Joe Wilson is so certain of this that he publishes a NYT op-ed revealing the details of what should have been a top secret trip to Niger for the entire world to see.
Now it seems the French knew all along that smuggling of uranium was taking place from Niger. Another outright falsehood by Joe Wilson in his NYT op-ed.
Joe Wilson must surely go down as one of the biggest buffoons in the entire history of American intelligence agencies.