U.N. allowed Iraqi purchase of agent usable for weapons

Washington Times ^ | 11/06/02 | Bill Gertz

[kattracks]

The United Nations overruled U.S. government objections and allowed Iraq to buy a specialty chemical that U.S. intelligence officials say will boost Baghdad's chemical and biological warfare agents.

A large quantity of a chemical known as colloidal silicon dioxide was ordered by the Iraqis in August 2001 and held up by the U.S. government because of concerns about its use.

[Nogbad]

ping

[Salman]

Silicon Dioxide? Sand?

[Mitchell]

Thanks for the ping.

I wonder if this could be the source of the silicon that has at times been reported to have been found in the mailed anthrax.

By the way, why does anybody know why Iraq has to import something like this, rather than simply make it in its own factories? It's not as if they don't have a ready supply of sand.

[Sabertooth]

A large quantity of a chemical known as colloidal silicon dioxide was ordered by the Iraqis in August 2001 and held up by the U.S. government because of concerns about its use.

However, the United Nations approved the sale and it was shipped to Iraq last month, said Hasmik Egin, a U.N. spokeswoman.

Colloidal silicon dioxide is used in making commercial products such as glass or electronic-circuit boards.

But the superfine powder also has a military use. It is a key element in producing what are known as "dusty" chemical or biological weapons, agents that are able to penetrate protective suits, equipment and facilities, U.S. intelligence officials said.

Interesting. This product, silicon dioxide, was used with spectacularly deadly results in the anthrax letters last year…

The anthrax mailer needed a powder that could negotiate the U.S. postal system without absorbing so much moisture that it would cake up. At the end of the trip, the coated spores had to be light and supple enough to fly into the air with no delivery system beyond the rip of a letter opener through an envelope.

Finally, the spores had to be small enough for potential victims to inhale them deep into their lungs so that only a tiny number of spores would be needed to kill -- far fewer than the dosages anticipated by the U.S. government for the cruder aerosols of the past.

The answer was silica -- the same silicon dioxide that comprises substances ranging from beach sand to window glass. The attacker needed a special kind of silica, however, because the aerosol that delivered the spores was as sophisticated as any on the market.

< -snip- >

Several sources agreed that the most likely way to build the coated spores would be to use the fine glass particles, known generically as "fumed silica" or "solid smoke," and mix them with the spores in a spray dryer. "I know of no other technique that might give you that finished product," Spertzel said.

< -snip- >

Fumed silica grains are between 0.012 and 0.300 of a micron in size, and will readily adhere to the surface of any larger particle, such as an anthrax spore. Coated particles will easily disperse, because the grains act as tiny "ball bearings," enabling the larger bits to skid past one another.
LINK
FR LINK

Anyone know if Saddam Hussein is really a disgruntled, lone Caucasian in the U.S. Military?

Belated thanks to the UN.

[ex-Texan]

That settles it ...... The UN supports terrorism.

F****** the U.N.

[Diogenesis]

"The U.N. is helping the Iraqis to enhance their biological and chemical weapons,"
said an intelligence official familiar with reports of the chemical sale."

"This just in. Saddam's puppet and UN Abu Annan has something to say about
the latest UN help of Iraqi terrorism.
Emperor Abu Annan may deign to say something about
the three billion dollars per year which the UN gives Terrorist Saddam to promote his regime,
and he may even possibly discuss (at last) his UN support of on-going Islamic slavery
in Africa, piracy, and other terrorists like Arafat.
At last, we will find out ..... here at last is the Emperor Annan .........
........
........
........
........ hold on .............
........
........ his Imperial Excellency ......
........
........ but..... but .... your Excellency ... gross .... ugggh.

[gore3000]

Anyone know if Saddam Hussein is really a disgruntled, lone Caucasian in the U.S. Military?

I've always thought that the anthrax was from Iraq. It was too good to be homemade. What I don't understand is why the government has not said Iraq is responsible.

[uglybiker]

Kofi Annan visits Saddam at his Presidential Palace. What will he find?

(Flash download)

[Jake0001]

Saddam is DEFINITELY disgruntled.

I think he could pass for Caucasian.

As a nerdy child I possessed a "rock tumbler". As I recall one of the powders used to polish the rocks was very fine silicon dioxide.

Perhaps we are being too careful and are overestimating Saddam. I'd hate to think we are overestimating him and thus inspiring him with our explicit restrictions and concerns.

I'd also hate to think we are guiding the likes of Al Qaeda by giving them a definitive laundry list of chemicals and substances that scare us. I'm certain that the list is public domain.

[GOPJ]

Is this a connected dot?

Colloidal silicon dioxide is used in making commercial products such as glass or electronic-circuit boards. But the superfine powder also has a military use. It is a key element in producing what are known as "dusty" chemical or biological weapons, agents that are able to penetrate protective suits, equipment and facilities, U.S. intelligence officials said.

Interesting. This product, silicon dioxide, was used with spectacularly deadly results in the anthrax letters last year…

[kapj]

That's it. I can't stand it any longer!!! US out of the UN and expel it from US territory!!!

If one US soldier is killed with this weapon, Kofi Amin should be tried and executed for war crimes.

[Tailgunner Joe]

[First_Salute]

11/06/2002 possible WMD indications suspected by Bush (still running 39% of Clinton) Admin - stirring up support for invasion of Iraq.