I still think they are similiar in size and the ratio of length to width for whatever that is worth.
Perhaps there are some other specifications that may also point out additional similiarities like the copper or brass mounting flange on the bottom end of the Libya tubes. They appear to be bolted on in the picture and the tube appears to be capped on the top, with some sort of spring or wire connecting the two maybe a heating element.
Hammering it away, bit by bit?
April 24, 2006
Iraqs aluminum tube procurement efforts
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Iraqdocs has the latest translation of Iraqi Intelligence documents captured in post-war Iraq. These particular documents (CMPC-2004-004404) are memos from 1999 and 2000 that discuss procurement efforts of high strength, 81mm aluminum tubes, that can be used in gas centrifuges for enriching uranium. The translator notes that the Iraqi Survey Group (ISG) stated in their final report in 2004, "Baghdad’s interest in high-strength, high-specification aluminum tubes—dual-use items controlled under Annex 3 of the Ongoing Monitoring and Verification Plan as possible centrifuge rotors—is best explained by its efforts to produce 81-mm rockets."
The first two pages are the Quotation Bid regarding these Special Aluminum Tubes by a company called AL Bashair addressed to Al Rasheed General Company which is a division of the Iraqi Military Manufacturing Commission. Page 3 of the document has the Technical Specification written in English of these Aluminum tubes, Diameter, Length, Specification, Chemical Composition, Price, Manufacturing origin, etc.
On 19 October 2005, Colin Powell's former Chief of Staff, Larry Wilkerson gave a speech at the New America Foundation and raised the issue of the aluminum tubes and how French intelligence pointed to their existance for use in centrifuges.
"The French came in in the middle of my deliberations at the CIA and said, we have just spun aluminum tubes, and by god, we did it to this RPM, et cetera, et cetera, and it was all, you know, proof positive that the aluminum tubes were not for mortar casings or artillery casings, they were for centrifuges. Otherwise, why would you have such exquisite instruments?"
Posted by C.S. Scott at April 24, 2006 12:14 PM