Blix says Iraq refusing U2 spy flights

HA'ARETZ ^ | January 20th, 2003

[Mossad1967]

Top UN weapons inspector Hans Blix said on Monday Iraq had refused to allow reconnaissance flights by U2 aircraft over its territory to aid inspectors in their search for any weapons of mass destruction...

[js1138]

Who really needs the U2 when we have satellites?

Good question, but anything you can see from 200 miles you can see ten times better from 20 miles.

[RoughDobermann]

:-) :-)

[js1138]

SR-71 is retired. U-2 is much cheaper to fly.

[glock rocks]

[PhiKapMom]

My sentiments exactly! The UN with France, Germany, and Russia are no more than a puppet of Sadaam from what I heard today.

Didn't trust the Russians when the Cold War ended and I still don't!

[savedbygrace]

This could really get in the way of our attack plans. What if Iraq refuses to allow our troops to enter the country. How will we ever be able to attack?

[MindBender26]

Also, satellites fly predictable schedules. U2s do not.

Surprize! Look up. Smile for the Birdie!

[RummyChick]

Top UN weapons inspector Hans Blix said on TUESDAY Iraq had refused to allow.....


Top UN weapons inspector Hans Blix said on Wednesday Iraq had refused to allow .....


and on and on and on we will go until the US and Britain get their military build up finished....

[RoughDobermann]

SR-71 is retired. U-2 is much cheaper to fly.

And they'll never see Aurora!

[Publius Maximus]

That is a breach isnt it?

In plain English, yes. In Euro-trash diplomatic double-speak, of course it isn't! It's just another opportunity to prolong the inspections regime. After all, the mere fact that they are talking about not complying is a good sign that they will talk about it in the future.

[savedbygrace]

LLOL.

[MindBender26]

And then there is Pumpkin Seed.........

[Puppage]

THAT'S OKAY...WE'LL JUST USE B-52 FLIGHTS NEXT. BUH BYE!

[PhiKapMom]

Countries in the Middle East and other areas of the world are very good at timing when our satellites are over their areas to disguise what they are doing! U-2's are not only closer but they have no idea when they will fly over their country so Iraq cannot be hiding what they are doing from the U-2's.

[VMI70]

That's easy--Satellites are not provocative--Highly publicized U-2 flights are.

[RightWhale]

Are we keeping a scorecard of how many things Iraq won't permit?

According to Sec'y Powell, it is not the job of the inspectors to find these weapons and weapon components. Iraq's responsibility is to dig out the weapons and weapon components and let the inspectors verify the destruction of the weapons and weapon components. That is, if Iraq does not participate actively rather than passively, the inspection and disarmament will be done by force.

[pepsionice]

The U2 type imagery is releaseable...the US even gives the stuff to the forestry service when they ask. The type of technology it uses is basically 1950s...although updated. As for satellites...the preferred method...its not always releaseable. The US has no intention of releasing this capability out to the public. One added benifit of the U2 is that it can utilize some commerical type equipment and pick up items with a lot of heat generated (mainly SCUDS), and the Iraqis know this...so they would perfer not to have to admit that they actually have a lot of SCUDS just laying out in the desert.

[js1138]

That's easy--Satellites are not provocative--Highly publicized U-2 flights are.

Satellites are provocative. I believe that early on, the Soviets and the States made an agreement not to try shooting down each other's spy satellites. I believe they agreed they gave each side just enough information to spot a major buildup, without giving away details.

I don't think there was ever a formal international agreement.

[ConservativeConvert]

This is such total bullsh*t. It's time to stop playing patty-cake with the UN and get the show on the road already. Enough is enough and every day that passes without action is another day Saddam has to strike the first blow (I'm amazed it hasn't happened already). If we don't get the show on the road within days after the Jan. 27th UN report then I wouldn't be suprised if the whole shebang gets scuttled altogether.

[PhiKapMom]

Exactly! All I keep hearing by the less then honest news media with a few exceptions is what Sadaam won't permit. Rush had a great commentary on today about Bob Schieffer's interview with SoS Powell. Schieffer obviously didn't get it or refused to admit it that it was Iraq's responsiblity to get this weapons destroyed not the UN's to find!