Methods for "early detection of anthrax" would allow the Iraqis to know if we had the methods to detect trace amounts in sanitized Iraqi sites, and also to know if we had an early warning detection system if anthrax were used on our troops or our populace.
If they really wanted to find out whether we had early detection technology for the purposes you suggest, do you think their approach would be simply to *ask* Finland, Sweden, and Japan?
Much as I'd like to disagree with TGS, I think his explanation is more plausible.