US assures UN Security Council that Powell did not wave live anthrax

Agence France-Presse | February 5, 2003

[HAL9000]

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 5 (AFP) - US Secretary of State Colin Powell did not wave an actual vial of the deadly anthrax bacteria during his UN Security Council presentation on Iraq's banned weapons programs on Wednesday, a senior State Department official said.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, made it a point to open comments to reporters with news that the vial had contained a white silicon compound intended to simulate anthrax.

"It was not real anthrax," the official said. "We didn't bring anthrax into the council chambers."

The substance was provided to Powell by "our friends at Langley," the official said, referring to the Virginia town where the Central Intelligence Agency has its headquarters.

Earlier, speaking to the Security Council about the dangers of Iraq's biological weapons program, Powell displayed a small vial to demonstrate the havoc that even a small amount of the bacteria could create.

"Less than a teaspoonful of dry anthrax in an envelope shut down the United States Senate in the fall of 2001," Powell said, holding up the vial, which he said contained "just about the amount of a teaspoon."

"This forced several hundred people to undergo emergency medical treatment and killed two postal workers just from an amount just about this quantity that was inside of an envelope," he said.

[Jim Noble]

>> one would think they would be scared ****less of the tons of real stuff Saddam has<<

They aren't

They think it's only to be used against us.

[Jim Noble]

>>The beauty of what is happening is how utterly/completely discredited the U.N. will end up in the end<<

from your lips to God's ears....

[Sacajaweau]

Anyone that even "thinks" that Powell had anthrax in that vile should be removed from any association with any intelligent organization on the grounds of Blatant stupidity!!.

[Sacajaweau]

He should have dropped the vile....And everyone would line up for their shots....except the Iraqi rep and his buddies who have already had the vaccine!!!

Actually, it would have been interesting!! How would the Iraqi rep explain that??

[Sacajaweau]

I like the image of the American Cowboy. He is the symbol of ethics and American Justice. I watch Ponderosa every day. I think I have a thing for Adam!!

[sit-rep]

That scenario would play well I think... As silence fills the room, and a feeling of contamination takes over everyone around, a statement something like, "...did this powder give you a feeling of exposure? This is how we feel everyday in Washington for the American people knowing Hussian has this potential..."

SR

[Boot Hill]

Good thinking, that would definitely be a "gotcha".

--Boot Hill

[Boot Hill]

Nice to yak with you again SR.

Pretty good idea. The only problem I can see with your scenario is that it presumes men of good conscience, not just a self-interest. That kinda leaves France, etc. out of the running.

--Boot Hill

[sit-rep]

France?? So be it. What have they ever been other than a dependant. If my history is straight, their safety came from our men's lives and plenty of military expenditures over the years...

I shut sit-rep down the first of Feb. I guess decent software is not enough...

I do not voice in much here, but I'm always here!!

Take care,

SR

[Sacajaweau]

Does France really have an army?? or do they just exist knowing that in the event of an attack, all the other countries of the UN will come to their aid.

France stinks in more ways then one.

[Boot Hill]

Sorry to hear about shutting down sit-rep. I know that site meant a lot to you. But, I have the feeling we'll be crossing paths on threads of mutual interest here on FR.

Regards,

Boot Hill

[appalachian_dweller]

To post #4

LOL!!!

[agrace]

I agree, my first thought was, what morons.

[el_texicano]

My scenario would have Sect. Powell to have the vial of chalk powder slip out of his fingers, fall to the floor and break. Then watch the place get real quiet, wide eyed, and then all those toads panic and bolt for the doors. Opps!!

Then Powell says to those left, "All in favor of taking out Saddam raise your right hand."

[the_doc]

Powell should have "accidentally" dropped the vial on the floor and screamed "Omigosh, we're all going to die!!"

[Dionysius]

This is to be expected from those that think the answer lies in extending the inspection process. I'm sure they place bets on instant replays!

[Orange1998]

We all know the vial had no harmful material. Sounds a little grand standing demostrating that way. One would think the United Nations would have the brains to know it was a demostration only but again I forgot.... it's the UNITED NATIONS! LOL

Now if someone else demostrated this in public the liberals would buried you under the jail.

"Less than a teaspoonful of dry anthrax in an envelope shut down the United States Senate in the fall of 2001," Powell said, holding up the vial, which he said contained "just about the amount of a teaspoon."

[the_doc]

but again I forgot.... it's the UNITED NATIONS! LOL

Yeah, that was the point of my joke!

[Orange1998]

I am laughing with you! I have to say the UN comments makes them lose any creditablity they MAY have had.

[lepton]

Should have "accidentally" dropped it on the floor and broken it...then run out of the room. :)