What's in store for this "key Iraqi scientist"...
Posted on 12/27/2002 12:52:38 PM PST by Dallas
UN weapons inspectors have said a key Iraqi scientist gave them details of a military programme that could be a "possible prelude to a clandestine nuclear programme".
UN spokesman Hiro Ueki said the information was obtained when International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) interviewed a "metallurgist from a high visibility state company".
The statement came after Mr Ueki said the inspectors were also preparing to question scientist for the first time outside the country.
But the BBC's Caroline Hawley says Mr Ueki later told the BBC that this now looked less imminent, refusing to give a reason for the delay.
On Friday, UN inspectors also visited three sites in Iraq, including a brewery, in search of weapons of mass destruction.
Baghdad has continued to insist that it has no programme to develop banned nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.
'Possible prelude'
In his daily report on inspections, Mr Ueki said that the scientist "provided technical details of a military programme".
"This programme has attracted considerable attention as a possible prelude to a clandestine nuclear programme," he said.
"The answers will be of great use in completing the IAEA assessment."
The scientist was not identified by the inspectors, but the Iraqi Foreign Ministry named him as Dr Kazem Jamil, who worked at the al-Raya plant that produced aluminium for use in the manufacture short-range rockets.
Dr Jamil was only the second Iraqi expert interviewed by the inspectors. The first one declined to be questioned in private and insisted on an Iraqi witness.
But UN attempts to begin questioning Iraqi scientists outside Iraq - in accordance with a UN resolution - appear to have run into difficulty.
Mr Ueki did not comment on the reason of the delay, saying the details will be given on a press conference on Saturday.
Our correspondent says Baghdad fiercely opposes such moves, despite a strong pressure from the US.
On Thursday, Iraq's chief liaison officer with the UN inspectors, General Hossam Mohammad Amin, said the teams had visited 188 sites but had found no evidence of weapons of mass destruction.
Meanwhile - as both sides continue to prepare for a possible conflict - the head of the UN's refugee agency told the BBC that the international community should do everything to prevent a war.
The Iraqi Government has already begun helping its citizens stockpile food in case of a US-led attack and Washington is continuing its military build-up in the area.
What's in store for this "key Iraqi scientist"...
"Omar, that is some stinking beer. You quit bringing that camel pee beer to mosque, O.K.? Every time, we lose congregants."
Wouldn't want to be him or his relatives right now.
The U.S. has probably known about this for several days. That may be why were are sending the new troops and carrier groups out to the M.E.
.....Soon to be a permanent caretaker at Fort Al-Marsi Park.
Soon to be permanently underneath Fort Al-Marsi Park!
Attempts to corroborate his story were unsuccesful, because nobody can find him now...
Iraqi beer would be a weapon of mass destruction.
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