Iraq could attack itself, blame U.S.
Posted on 12/19/2002 2:12:19 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
Iraq could attack itself, blame U.S.
Intelligence officials say Hussein likely to use chemical weapons
12/19/2002
WASHINGTON - Iraq is preparing to destroy its own oil fields, food supplies and power plants and blame the destruction on U.S. bombs during a war, U.S. intelligence officials said Wednesday.
The officials, briefing reporters at the Pentagon, said they have evidence that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein plans to wreck his country's infrastructure to foster a humanitarian crisis and turn international opinion against any U.S. and British advance into its territory.
In describing Mr. Hussein's possible response to a U.S.-led attack, the U.S. intelligence officials also predicted that he would use biological and chemical weapons if he believes he is about to fall. They predicted he would attack U.S. forces in Iraq, U.S. allies Israel and Kuwait, and any native Shiite Muslims and Kurds who rise up to oppose him.
Iraq can deliver these weapons with missiles, aircraft-mounted sprayers and artillery shells, the officials said. They said they would expect Iraq to use disease weapons like anthrax, poisons like botulinum and ricin, and mustard gas. Mr. Hussein is not believed to have any nuclear weapons.
Citing the need to protect sources, the officials declined to describe any evidence. They requested anonymity.
Iraq maintains it destroyed all of its chemical and biological weapons, and the intelligence officials acknowledged a lack of specific information about Mr. Hussein's weapons stockpiles.
Several military experts in Washington said the scenario depicted by the intelligence officials was plausible, given Mr. Hussein's destruction of Kuwaiti oil fields as he abandoned that country in 1991.
"It's very likely Saddam will use scorched-earth tactics," said Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute. "Any amount of destruction to protect his rule is justified."
Others said the course of the war would determine whether Mr. Hussein acts in this manner.
Mr. Hussein has been preparing for a war with the United States and its British allies almost since the Sept. 11 attacks, the intelligence officials said. But his military remains in worse shape than it was during the 1991 Gulf War.
Saddam will destroy Bagdad with blackpox. He will most certainly broadcast a 'personal message' to the world, with a bloodlibel of Israel and the U.S., and try to inflame Islamics for a Jihad of revenge.
Anyone that crazy is going to unleash them sooner or later anyway. Might as well be on our terms.
Why on earth would he do that, for chrissake? Wouldn't it be more logical to target New York and Washington, DC?
I agree. In addition no doubt we have plans to thwart such a move by Saddam. No reason to sit by and allow such destruction that will require rebuilding and inflct more suffering on the people of Iraq.
Okay, I looked it up. It's not bad, but it's rather convoluted and includes a lot of hokey stuff about cyber-terrorism and the like -- stuff which just muddies the waters. The real story is much simpler. Probably the best early warning was Laurie Mylroie's article on the WTC bomb in the Winter, 1995/96 issue of the foreign policy journal, The National Interest. Her central points were (a) Saddam Hussein has shown himself willing to take enormous risks to revenge himself for the Gulf War, such as killing George Bush, Sr., (b) he has cultivated terrorist proxies as cut-outs to pursue this objective, (c) his biological WMD capability provides him the back-end security he needs to ramp terror attacks up to hitherto unseen levels, and (d) our federal government has been completely feckless in fulfilling its responsibility to respond to the clear and present danger arising from these factors.
"But where's your proof? We can't just go into another country because it MIGHT attack us."
Oh yeah, just like Y2K. Please, show me anything in the past that the "smart" people completely forecasted in advance.
Well, left it wide open, did ya? I could go on and on with predictions that have come true.
If you go back and read the article I mentioned ( hOW WE LOST ......
Then I believe you would see that most stuff mentioned in there Saddam has already done. I find it better to let others read and decide for themselves then for me to try and convince them with my words.
December 19, 2002
WASHINGTON - Iraq is preparing for a scorched-earth campaign if it goes to war with the United States, targeting its own oil fields, food supplies and power plants and blaming America for the devastation, U.S. intelligence officials say.
The officials, briefing reporters at the Pentagon yesterday, said they have solid evidence that Saddam Hussein intends to create a humanitarian crisis that would stymie any U.S. advance and turn international opinion against the war.
U.S. intelligence officials also believe Saddam will use biological and chemical weapons if he believes he is about to fall, even in the opening days of a war.
His primary targets: U.S. forces in Iraq as well as longtime enemies Israel and Kuwait, the officials said.
Iraq can deliver these weapons with missiles, aircraft-mounted sprayers and artillery shells, the Pentagon officials said.
They expect Iraq to use disease weapons like anthrax, poisons like botulism and ricin, and mustard gas. He is not believed to have any nuclear weapons.
He may also use them against his own populace, particularly against Shiite Muslims who have opposed him the past, the officials said.
Iraq maintains it destroyed all its chemical and biological weapons. And for all their fears, the U.S. officials acknowledged a lack of specific information about Saddam's weapons stockpiles.
U.S. officials have pointed to lists of warheads that U.N. inspections have not accounted for, new activity at old weapons-manufacturing sites and imports of suspicious equipment as evidence of Iraq's intentions to develop new weapons.
While the officials said Iraq's conventional military forces are in worse shape than they were during the 1991 Gulf War, they said there are a number of unknowns that could make any U.S. offensive less than easy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.