EVIL PROOF [Brits Find Bunker Full of WMD's in S. Iraq Oil Fields]

The Daily Telegraph ^ | March 28, 2003 | Bruce Wilson

[k2blader]

EVIL PROOF
By BRUCE WILSON in London
28mar03

BRITISH troops have uncovered a bunker full of weapons of mass destruction in the southern Iraqi oilfields.

The Ministry of Defence released a dramatic video it said showed more than 100 chemical warfare protection suits and mounds of dozens of artillery rounds it said contained suspected "weapons of mass destruction".

It was not immediately clear if the weapons contained chemical or biological warheads. They were not believed to be nuclear.

The bunker had been recently deserted by fleeing Iraqi troops attacked by a unit from the Irish Guards, a spokesman said.

The film showed Guardsmen turning over chemical suits and standing beside piles of shells said to contain the deadly warheads.

For security reasons, the MoD would not locate the bunker beyond saying it was in the middle of an oilfield.

It added that British troops had managed to put out some of the fires started by the Iraqis as part of their "scorched oil" policy.

British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said the find "proves categorically" that Iraq is ready to use weapons of mass destruction against allied forces.

The issue of protective gear to Iraqi troops in the south of the country had already indicated that Saddam Hussein may be considering the use of chemical or biological weapons, but fresh evidence uncovered over the past few days had proved it beyond doubt, Mr Hoon said.

He tried to contrast Saddam's readiness to use such weapons with the coalition's efforts to avoid civilian casualties, and repeated claims that missiles that killed at least 14 civilians in Baghdad yesterday may have been Iraqi rather than allied.

Reporters in Baghdad said the missile had almost certainly come from an allied aircraft.

The discovery of the weapons of mass destruction came at a time when British armour was preparing to fight what defence officials said was its biggest tank battle since World War II.

There has been a fear since the campaign started that elite Iraqi troops would be ordered to use chemical or biological weapons.

The well-built bunker shown in the film looked as if it had been occupied by well-equipped soldiers. However, they apparently fled without a fight.

Mr Hoon urged the public not to allow individual setbacks and delays to distract them from the overall picture of the campaign, which, he said. was unfolding successfully.

He said: "Coalition forces are making good progress in overcoming the resistance of the Iraqi security forces with great courage and resilience.

"This campaign is only in its eighth day. We all wish to see a speedy end to conflict.

"The campaign is going to plan. We are, with our coalition partners, involved in a deliberate and cautious endeavour. We will not stop until Saddam Hussein and his appalling regime has fallen from power and weapons of mass destruction are dismantled.

"We have time to see this through. Saddam Hussein's time is running out."

[PISANO]

They have this on FILM? Anyone hear this from another source. Haven't heard a thing about this.

[Ragirl]

Didn't some reporter from the CBN (Pat Robertson's orgainzation)report this yesterday? Or is this ANOTHER supposed find? I hope it's true!

[k2blader]

I just found out about this story from a friend in Australia. First I've heard of it too!

[Ruger1099]

It won't matter to anyone. If the Brits found it, it means they planted it. Americans could die from chemical attack and the Arabs would say we launched them on ourselves.

[Orangedog]

Why the hell isn't Fox News all over this one? Something doesn't smell right.

[Porterville]

Emailed Drudge, lets see if he puts it up.

[Mister Baredog]

Very interesting, calling Dr. Blix, uhoh. Did anyone else hear that the troops that took a large airport in Northern Iraq yesterday have named it BUSH INTERNATIONAL

[VMI70]

EVIL PROOF [Brits Find Bunker Full of WMD's in S. Iraq Oil Fields]

Is this the true headline?

Now stay with me on this--Are there any inconsistencies in the following quotes from the article?

"EVIL PROOF [Brits Find Bunker Full of WMD's in S. Iraq Oil Fields]" (That is the headline) then the following from the story:

"It was not immediately clear if the weapons contained chemical or biological warheads"

"...piles of shells said to contain the deadly warheads."

"British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said the find "proves categorically" that Iraq is ready to use weapons of mass destruction against allied forces."

Strange

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[Grand Old Partisan]

The Pentagon wants the focus on the war. There's plenty of time to get the word out about the Iraqi WMDs afterward.

[Porterville]

Didn't you hear, Blix is retiring; he doesn't care.

[Dark Wing]

ping

[Spunky]

"Didn't some reporter from the CBN (Pat Robertson's orgainzation)report this yesterday?"

Yes it was reported by CBN (not sure if I saw it yesterday on FreeRepublic or this morning) and Mike Savage said he will wait for another source to report on it before he gets excited.

I wonder if this source will be good enough for him?

[Happygal]

Ivan...didn't you post something about this yesterday?

[tiki]

They ran it on Fox. One soldier was in the bunker and they mentioned the chemical suits but not chemical weapons.

[Green]

Reporters in Baghdad said the missile had almost certainly come from an allied aircraft

I'll surmise that the reporters have about as much qualification to make this determination as I do (which is none at all! ).

[EaglesUpForever]

Blix is "retiring" to get back to his "international law work". I guess as he didn't manage to keep Iraq's WMD from our "inspections" he will now try to make them "internationally legal."

[k2blader]

This looks like another (earlier) article on the same story:

BBC News - 'Proof' of biological weapons found

[Eva]

Interesting that the BBC report left out the mentions of artillery rounds or warheads. The BBC insinuated that the chemical suits and gas masks were not necessarily "proof".

[PISANO]

That is what I remember too.......the chemical suits....maybe they are awaiting further comfirmation also.

[Salvation]

**Haven't heard a thing about this.**

Me either. Unless O'Reilly brushed the surface and dismissed it yesterday.

[blam]

"Yes it was reported by CBN (not sure if I saw it yesterday on FreeRepublic or this morning) and Mike Savage said he will wait for another source to report on it before he gets excited. "

I heard about this yesterday. Can't remember where.

[knak]

bumping to follow up later

[Gasshog]

said contained suspected "weapons of mass destruction".

key word...not too reliable Id say

[Pagey]

I'm sure " Hans 'I am worthless' Blix" mind is racing as to how he is going to find a way to make this stuff disappear too.

[k2blader]

"Evil Proof" is the headline. I added the stuff in brackets, taken from the article's first sentence.

I should have typed "[Brits Find Bunker Full of Suspected WMD's in S. Iraq Oil Fields]". Sorry about that.

[Carry_Okie]

Bump to self

[wardaddy]

I would like a reliable source ...in fact a multiple source dog and pony show...BUT,

They have them...make no mistake. They have used them against their own folks and Iran and we have found stashes of gas gear and intercepted alleged orders for the diehards to use them etc.

Does anyone really think they've destroyed all their WMDs?

I sure don't.

[Go Gordon]

Very interesting, calling Dr. Blix, uhoh.

Sorry mate, Blix just retired...

[k2blader]

Maybe a more accurate headline would be "Evil 'Categorical Proof'". :-)

[oyez]

I think the stories are being squashed for some reason. I read two other instances of chemweps being reported but there is never a follow up. If were pulling in evidence for G_d's sake go on record. Of course Saddams's not the bad guy in this war.

[oyez]

I think the stories are being squashed for some reason. I read two other instances of chemweps being reported but there is never a follow up. If were pulling in evidence for G_d's sake go on record. Of course Saddams's not the bad guy in this war.

[peeve23]

As soon as the US/Britain announce that they have definitely found WMD's then the public relations reason for Saddam NOT to use them becomes moot. As soon as he's caught, then he loses nothing by using them.

I'm convinced we're not announcing these things so that he will continue NOT to start using them in the early stages of the conflict.

He would have used them in the final stages in any case -- when his back's against the wall -- but why give him reason to use them earlier?

[Illbay]

Could this be it?

[k2blader]

Hoon withdraws claim that protection suits are 'proof' of chemical weapons
By Paul Waugh Deputy Political Editor
28 March 2003

Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, was forced yesterday to retract claims that the discovery of more than 100 bio-chemical protection suits in Iraq was "categorical" proof that Saddam Hussein was preparing to use weapons of mass destruction.

The Ministry of Defence revealed that the Royal Irish Regiment discovered the suits and gas masks, which were in good working order, in a command post abandoned by Iraqi troops in the Rumaila oilfield of southern Iraq.

Mr Hoon originally told a press briefing at the MoD that the find showed categorically that "the Iraqi regime is prepared to use weapons of mass destruction". But when a reporter pointed out that similar suits were used by Iraq in the 1980s to protect against chemical attack from Iran, Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, the Chief of Defence Staff, conceded that the equipment found was not offensive. "There is no evidence so far in what we've found," he said. "They ought to be defensive protection suits and respirators and so forth ... So far we didn't find anything which was offensive, no." The kit was "effective, well cared for and in good working order", he added.

Mr Hoon later admitted that the evidence was "obviously not conclusive" evidence that the Iraqis were set to use chemical weapons against UK or US troops. But he added: "It's clearly indicative of an intention; otherwise why equip his own forces to deal with a threat which he knows we do not have? So it must only be to protect his forces from his own use of those weapons."

Mr Hoon repeated Tony Blair's warning this week that any Iraqi commander who sanctions the use of such weapons would be committing a war crime and "will be held personally responsible for his action".

Iraqi PoWs have given details to US forces of chemical protection suits issued to them, but until now no clear evidence had been found.

The MoD showed a film recorded in recent days of soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment searching a recently deserted Iraqi command position in the Rumaila oilfield. Sir Michael said the Iraqi troops had "left in a hurry", abandoning equipment and paperwork, which was now being examined by intelligence staff. Sir Michael added that the documentation may offer information about Iraq's plans to use weapons of mass destruction.

"The use of chemical and biological weapons against our forces has always been one of our chief concerns," he said. "We certainly remember the terrible results of their use in the past, and making sure that the regime does not get the opportunity to deploy these weapons has been a high priority in our planning and target selection."

Mr Hoon said no non-lethal chemical weapons such as CS gas had been used in the campaign by the UK. Britain was fully signed up to the Chemical Weapons Convention which prohibited the use of such weapons in conflict.

Independent.co.uk - Hoon withdraws claim that protection suits are 'proof' of chemical weapons

[knak]

here is yet another story that does not mention the chem weapons

Hoon withdraws claim that protection suits are 'proof' of chemical weapons

[Illbay]

Reporters in Baghdad said the missile had almost certainly come from an allied aircraft.

Based on what? I mean, what expertise to these reporters possess? They all have Iraqi Interior Ministry handlers.

[Illbay]

The "other supposed find" turned out to be a dud. That was the US 3ID.

This is the Brits, a different "find." This sounds a bit more likely, since it is the Daily Telegraph, a published story not an off-the-cuff "Gee, Pat (we know you want ratings so) we're not sure, but we think we found..." sort of thing.

[MississippiMan]

I've seen a couple stories on this discovery from the UK press. The only mention I've seen from the American media, however, was CBN, the Christian Broadcasting Network. When our media finally have no choice but to cover a major WMD discovery, it's really gonna break their hearts.

MM

[k2blader]

Looks like this story is another dud. Dang...

But I still think we'll find some eventually.

[kcvl]

Australians in front-line spots

28mar03
AUSTRALIANS on exchange with the American and British military were fighting in front-line positions in Iraq, Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East Brigadier Maurie McNarn said yesterday.

While 150 Special Air Service (SAS) troops are widely regarded as the only combat ground troops of Australia's 2000-strong deployment to Iraq, Brig. McNarn revealed about 33 Australians were also serving in various roles with coalition partners.

"There are a number of them who are certainly in harm's way at the moment," Brig McNarn said.

"But I don't want to go into the specifics of where they are, partly because they're with a unit that will be covering a large amount of ground. I don't want to create an impression that they're doing things that they aren't."

Australian exchange service people were involved in air, sea as well as land operations.

"They're in a range of British and American units; some ground units, some on ships at sea and some in air elements," Brig McNarn said.

"Most of these units are moving fairly fast.

"In terms of the navy, obviously they're out in various units in the Gulf and they tend to move constantly. We have a number of people on exchange with the air force, some are flying, some are with ground support."

With experts tipping that RAAF F/A-18 jets and SAS troops would not be used in urban warfare, exchange military personnel could be the only Australians engaged in the predicted bloody city campaigns.

Meanwhile, coalition forces announced plans to step up attacks on Iraq. A senior official at US Central Command said forecasts indicated "pretty good weather" in the next three days.

The worst sandstorm in decades, with winds whipping at 80km/h and upward, began on Tuesday and stalled thousands of soldiers headed toward Baghdad.

The sandstorm did not stop Iraq firing a missile at Kuwait yesterday but it was intercepted by a Patriot battery, a Kuwaiti Defence Ministry spokesman said.

•British troops had uncovered a bunker full of weapons of mass destruction in the southern Iraqi oilfields, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said late last night. The Ministry of Defence released a dramatic video it claimed showed more than 100 chemical warfare protection suits and mounds of dozens of artillery rounds it said contained "weapons of mass destruction".

[Illbay]

As soon as the US/Britain announce that they have definitely found WMD's then the public relations reason for Saddam NOT to use them becomes moot. As soon as he's caught, then he loses nothing by using them.

I've thought of this as well. But then they announce the suits, etc., just as a pretext to warn Saddam not to use them.

JOB ONE is to protect the troops.

[lasereye]

"British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said the find "proves categorically" that Iraq is ready to use weapons of mass destruction against allied forces."

I think he was referring to the suits, not the warheads.

[tutstar]

Yes, He's going to stop global warming.

[Illbay]

I didn't see the "dud" part. What do you mean?

[mrb1960]

This had better be legit because I'm getting tired of hearing how everytime we supposedly find something it turns out to be nothing.

[Doc On The Bay]

Well, we Might as well use "Tactical 'Nukes" ; Since we'll be Vilified Anyway, We might as well resolve our CONTEMPT Of Iraqi Irregular "Forces" by an Honest attempt to avoid an Utterly Justifiable NUCLEAR RESPONSE!!

& God Help Us!

[marshmallow]

The reason this is not more widely reported is because there is nothing definitive in this article. The key paragraph is as follows;

The Ministry of Defence released a dramatic video it said showed more than 100 chemical warfare protection suits and mounds of dozens of artillery rounds it said contained suspected "weapons of mass destruction".

What this boils down to folks, is 100 chemical warfare suits and some artillery rounds. If and when these are tested and found to contain chemical or biological agents, this will become a story. Until then, it is another media "beat up".