U.S. Spots Activity at Iraq Weapons Plant - Report

Reuters ^ | Wed Aug 14,12:27 AM ET | Unknown

[B-bone]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence agencies spotted activity last week at an Iraqi plant identified as a biological weapons production facility, The Washington Times reported in Wednesday edition.

"A convey of about 60 trucks was photographed by a U.S. spy satellite at a known biological weapons facility last week," the paper quoted U.S. intelligence officials as saying, adding that the site was located about six miles northwest of Baghdad.

"They're moving stuff in or out," an official familiar with the report told the paper. The official also noted that intelligence information about Iraq's weapons program was limited.

A CIA spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The Washington Times report on the truck convoy near Taji followed a Washington Post report earlier this month that U.S. intelligence was looking for a suspected Iraqi biological weapons laboratory north of Baghdad.

The Post quoted U.S. government officials as saying the plant, with 85 employees, may be producing a weapon-sized version of the lethal Ebola virus.

President Bush has called Iraq "an enemy until proven otherwise" accusing Baghdad of developing weapons of mass destruction. Official U.S. policy has been to seek a "regime change" in Iraq, but senior officials, including Bush have sought to play down expectations of an imminent attack on the oil-exporting country.

Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations said on Tuesday that Iraq "is clear" of any weapons of mass destruction.

"There's nothing hidden in Iraq. There are no mass destruction weapons at all," Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri said in an interview on PBS's "News Hour with Jim Lehrer."

[B-bone]

***A CIA spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment. ***

You've got to love a quote like this.

[Mr. Mojo]

"They're moving stuff in or out," an official familiar with the report told the paper.

They're moving it out. It won't be long until UN inspectors are allowed back in. It'll all be hidden by then.

[B-bone]

You've got that right. The operative word is moving out.

Moving in would apply to the baby formula processing equipment.

[Thane_Banquo]

A CIA spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Hehe. Duh! The CIA usually doesn't say what it knows.

[knak]

bump for later

[Howlin]

OMG..............OMG......I am in the floor here, laughing at that remark!

"This is the CIA; we can't take your call right now; leave your name and number and we'll get back to you."

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Iraqi Germ Plant Active

That's the link to the Washington Times story mentioned in the article (posted here at FR, thanks to Kattracks).

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

"There's nothing hidden in Iraq. There are no mass destruction weapons at all," Ambassador [and paid liar] Mohammed Aldouri said in an interview on PBS's "News Hour with Jim Lehrer."

[TheLooseThread]

So if the Bush doctrine is that we can strike first, why not hit the plant tomorrow?

Why would we have to wait until all out war?

[The Raven]

>>They're moving it out

Where's it going? Iran? Korea?

[mict42]

Our lives are in great danger. We are paying the price for down grading the military when the wall came down in Europe.At that time, we were the super power and could have brought peace to the world.I read a quote, it's not mine," those who beat their swords into plowshares will soon be plowing for those who didn't". Take out the threat now, no matter the cost to international opinion.

[tomahawk]

Why have we allowed this bioweapons plant to exist for some time now, making its deadly poisons? It should have been eradicated as soon as it was discovered.

[HangThemHigh]

"So if the Bush doctrine is that we can strike first, why not hit the plant tomorrow? Why would we have to wait until all out war?"

Why wait until tomorrow? The news headline should read "Smoking Hole Found at Site of Former Bug Factory".

[ASA Vet]

Could I suggest one small change?

"It should have been eradicated irradiated as soon as it was discovered."

[CJ Wolf]

Three cheers for weaponized ebola!

Take some 3 stoogies advice...Nuke, Nuke, Nuke

[bloodmeridian]

The writer's just telling you "I tried."

[mlocher]

LOL!

i wonder if this was intentionally leaked to re-iterate to the international community the real thread here.

[Centurion2000]

Sounds like they may be taking the bio warheads out to the field or the SCUDS

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

"There's nothing hidden in Iraq. There are no mass destruction weapons at all," Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri said in an interview on PBS's "News Hour with Jim Lehrer."

The day is rapidly approaching when the ambassador will be out of a job

[SGCOS]

..."A convey of about 60 trucks was photographed by a U.S. spy satellite at a known biological weapons facility last week," ...

"They're moving stuff in or out," an official familiar with the report told the paper..

Hint to the CIA: Were the trucks heading TOWARDS the facility or AWAY from the facility.?

God, I love it.....