Posted on 10/04/2003 3:44:45 AM PDT by tdadams
Polish troops have found four French-made advanced missiles in Iraq.
Although the missiles are not considered weapons of mass destruction, their discovery surprised many as the UN had barred Iraq from importing arms after its invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
The four Roland-type French-made missiles were discovered earlier this week, reportedly in the Hilla region near a highway.
Experts say the missiles, fired from a mobile launcher vehicle, are highly effective against low-flying aircraft.
"These missiles have a range of up to 9 kilometres. They can hit any aircraft," said Major Zbigniew Spiewakowski, Deputy Commander of 1st Combat Group.
The short-range air defence missile is currently in service in at least 10 countries, including France and Germany.
It is not the first time Polish troops have found ammunition in Iraq.
But what was surprising is that the four missiles were produced this year.
France says it is impossible that its newest missiles should turn up in Iraq.
It insists that no military exports to Iraq were licensed after July 1990, when the UN arms embargo against Baghdad came into force.
Polish troops later blew up the ammunition in a shallow trench at the site.
Captain Louis Renault: Major Strasser has been shot. Round up the usual suspects.
Captain Louis Renault: Realizing the importance of the case, my men are rounding up twice the usual number of suspects.
How many Poles does it take to decypher missile markings?
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