Because they were hiding the chemical weapons rather than setting them up. How long does it take to fuel and prep an airplane to take off under normal conditions...a bit longer if its been buried in the sand.
Because they were hiding the chemical weapons rather than setting them up. How long does it take to fuel and prep an airplane to take off under normal conditions...a bit longer if its been buried in the sand.
It was said that Iraq had weapons systems that could be pulled out for firing and launched within 45 minutes of an attack order being given. That's not the same as saying that they've got the stuff deployed for launch.
Maybe you have not seen the following thread...
Spy chief reveals '20 minute' warning
I've also never seen or heard a precise definition of the term "weapons of mass destruction". It's a nice vague scary term that means whatever they want it to mean.
That is because the term is so vague, there are many dual use chemicals that can be classified as WMD, it just depends on how they are used. More info...
“Almost all components and supplies used in weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes are dual-use. For example, any major petrochemical or biotech industry, as well as public health organisations, will have legitimate need for most materials and equipment required to manufacture chemical and biological weapons. Without UN weapons inspectors it is very difficult therefore to be sure about the true nature of many of Iraq’s facilities.
“For example, Iraq has built a large new chemical complex, Project Baiji, in the desert in north west Iraq at al-Sharqat . . . This site is a formeruranium enrichment facility which was damaged during the Gulf War and rendered harmless under supervision of the IAEA. Part of the site has been rebuilt, with work starting in 1992, as a chemical production complex. Despite the site being far away from populated areas it is surrounded by a high wall with watch towers and guarded by armed guards. Intelligence reports indicate that it will produce nitric acid which can be used in explosives, missile fuel and in the purification of uranium.”