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Why Does Saddam Pose An Imminent Threat?
Gopusa ^ | January 27, 2003 | Carol Devine-Molin

Posted on 01/27/2003 8:40:25 AM PST by politicalpal

Why Does Saddam Pose An Imminent Threat? By Carol Devine-Molin January 27, 2003

During the past few months, there has been much written and discussed by various terrorism experts, journalists, pundits and politicos regarding the subject of Saddam Hussein's rogue regime. But given the complexity of the issues under examination, it's been difficult to convey a clear and coherent message that adequately addresses the imminent peril posed by Saddam Hussein and the need to oust him from power as soon as possible. In order to make the case for war against the current Iraqi regime, it really comes down to two questions that need to be answered in a plain and succinct manner: 1) Which Weapons of Mass Destruction are currently in the hands of the Iraqis, according to our intelligence sources? And, 2) Why does a dictator such as Saddam Hussein, armed with Weapons of Mass Destruction, pose such a threat to the safety and security of other nations?

And the public needs to understand that the process of disarming the Iraqis, pursuant to UN Resolution 1441, places the onus or obligation directly upon the Iraqis to be thoroughly forthcoming and cooperative with UN officials - the Iraqis are responsible to divulge weapons sites and to provide UN inspectors with their prohibited weaponry. This is not supposed to be a game of Hide the Easter Eggs, with 100 arms inspectors searching in vain while they are being systematically thwarting in the efforts by the Iraqi government. In a nation the size of California, it's going to be virtually impossible for arms inspectors to locate forbidden weaponry, which is hidden in a plethora of underground tunnels and bunkers, mobile units, and even in the private residences of the Iraqi citizenry.

As to question #1, please note that there is already myriad information out in the public sphere that addresses the catastrophic weaponry in Saddam Hussein's arsenal. And the following represents just a brief overview and a smattering of the extensive information already available to any individual that chooses to research this subject matter.

Let's start with an excerpt of the superb speech given by Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz last week, which provides a brief synopsis of Iraqi weaponry, underscoring our knowledge of Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction programs (chemical, biological or nuclear weaponry), obtained through a variety of sources including satellite photos and other high-tech surveillance, in addition to reliable information provided by defectors and garnered by UN weapons inspections over the past twelve years.

Wolfowitz stated: "'Most brazenly of all' -- I'm still quoting Powell - 'the Iraqi declaration denies the existence of any prohibited weapons programs at all' unquote. Among those omissions are large quantities of anthrax and other deadly biological agents and nuclear-related items that the U.N. Special Commission concluded Iraq had not accounted for. There are also gaps in accounting for such deadly items as 1.5 tons of the nerve gas VX, 550 mustard-filled artillery shells, and 400 biological weapons-capable aerial bombs that the U.N. Special Commission concluded in 1999 -- and this is the U.N.'s conclusion -- Iraq had failed to account for. There is no mention of Iraqi efforts to procure uranium from abroad. Iraq fails to explain why it's producing missile fuel that seems designed for ballistic missiles it claims it does not have. There is no information on 13 recent Iraqi missile tests cited by Dr. Blix that exceeded the 150-kilometer limit. There is no explanation of the connection between Iraq's extensive unmanned aerial vehicle program and chemical or biological agent dispersal. There is no information about Iraq's mobile biological-weapons production facilities. And, very disturbingly, Iraq has not accounted for some two tons of anthrax growth media. When U.N. inspectors left Iraq in 1998, they concluded, and I quote: 'The history of the Special Commission's work in Iraq has been plagued by coordinated efforts to thwart full discovery of Iraq's programs' unquote."

The State Department's fact sheet entitled, "Illustrative Examples of Omissions From the Iraqi Declaration to the United Nations Security Council" dated 12/19/02, noted below, complements the statements made by Wolfowitz:

Anthrax and Other Undeclared Biological Agents

* The UN Special Commission concluded that Iraq did not verifiably account for, at a minimum, 2160kg of growth media. * This is enough to produce 26,000 liters of anthrax -- 3 times the amount Iraq declared; 1200 liters of botulinum toxin; and, 5500 liters of clostridium perfrigens -- 16 times the amount Iraq declared. * Why does the Iraqi declaration ignore these dangerous agents in its tally?

Ballistic Missiles

* Iraq has disclosed manufacturing new energetic fuels suited only to a class of missile to which it does not admit. * Iraq claims that flight-testing of a larger diameter missile falls within the 150km limit. This claim is not credible. * Why is the Iraqi regime manufacturing fuels for missiles it says it does not have?

Nuclear Weapons

* The Declaration ignores efforts to procure uranium from Niger. * Why is the Iraqi regime hiding their uranium procurement?

VX

* In 1999, UN Special Commission and international experts concluded that Iraq needed to provide additional, credible information about VX production. * The declaration provides no information to address these concerns. * What is the Iraqi regime trying to hide by not providing this information?

Chemical and Biological Weapons Munitions

* In January 1999, the UN Special Commission reported that Iraq failed to provide credible evidence that 550 mustard gas-filled artillery shells and 400 biological weapon-capable aerial bombs had been lost or destroyed. * The Iraqi regime has never adequately accounted for hundreds, possibly thousands, of tons of chemical precursors. * Again, what is the Iraqi regime trying to hide by not providing this information?

Empty Chemical Munitions

* There is no adequate accounting for nearly 30,000 empty munitions that could be filled with chemical agents. * Where are these munitions?

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Programs

* Iraq denies any connection between UAV programs and chemical or biological agent dispersal. Yet, Iraq admitted in 1995 that a MIG-21 remote-piloted vehicle tested in 1991 was to carry a biological weapon spray system. * Iraq already knows how to put these biological agents into bombs and how to disperse biological agent using aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles. * Why do they deny what they have already admitted? Why has the Iraqi regime acquired the range and auto-flight capabilities to spray biological weapons?

Mobile Biological Weapon Agent Facilities

* The Iraqi declaration provides no information about its mobile biological weapon agent facilities. Instead it insists that these are "refrigeration vehicles and food testing laboratories." * What is the Iraqi regime trying to hide about their mobile biological weapon facilities?

Summary

* None of these holes and gaps in Iraq's declaration are mere accidents, editing oversights or technical mistakes: they are material omissions.

As to the Iraqi nuclear program that has been ongoing since the 1980s, a Washington Times article authored by Paul Martin dated 9/16/02 details information provided by Dr. Khidir Hamza, who helped establish and supervise the Iraqi nuclear program before his defection to the West in 1994. The piece states: "But Mr. Hamza said Iraq already has, and is processing some 1.3 tons of low-enriched material bought many years ago from Brazil. He maintained that Iraq has also been processing many tons of its own yellow-cake uranium, which has been extracted from large supplies of phosphates in the north. U.N. inspectors were shown 162 tons of the material before their expulsion in 1998, but Mr. Hamza said there are several other sites that can be used. 'The amount of uranium it already has - conservatively estimated in a German intelligence report at 10 tons of natural uranium and 1.3 tons of low-enriched uranium - is enough for three nuclear weapons,' Mr. Hamza said. Before their expulsion, the inspectors dismantled an illegally imported German centrifuge that had been used in a program that progressively refines natural or low-enriched uranium until it becomes suitable for weapons. But Mr. Hamza, who was the science adviser to the Atomic Energy Establishment and later helped start and direct Iraq's nuclear weapons program, said by then the 'cat was out the bag'. He said he suspects the Iraqis have taken advantage of the four years since the inspectors' expulsion to make numerous copies of the original smuggled centrifuge and are busily refining uranium into the necessary material for nuclear bombs."

At the upcoming State of the Union message, hopefully President Bush will reveal more from the intelligence dossier on Iraq -- adding to the abundant damning evidence of Saddam's twelve years of "deception and defiance" and possession of forbidden weaponry.

As to question #2, the President's mission will be to effectively persuade the American people, and all of our allies, that the costs of inaction far outweigh the costs of action. And it will be crucial that President Bush pulls everything together in an overall gestalt, creating the "Big Picture" that demonstrates the nexus between terror organizations and rogue regimes that are more than willing to provide Weapons of Mass Destruction to their terrorist proxies.

In my humble opinion, President Bush must make these salient points:

* Iraq has been the only nation to use a Weapon of Mass Destruction in this modern era - Saddam Hussein inflicted chemical warfare upon his own people, the Kurds, and upon the Iranians during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980's.

* Saddam's evil character is key -- He a monstrous, cold-blooded mass murderer.

* Saddam runs a police-state that engages in atrocious Human Rights violations against his own people.

* The Iraqi intelligence dossier reflects ample evidence that Saddam Hussein continues to develop Weapons of Mass Destruction. The Iraqi regime currently creates chemical and biological weaponry, and will have nuclear warfare in the near future, perhaps a year or so, when it obtains enough fissile materials. If nothing is done to oust Saddam Hussein, than it is virtually inevitable that Iraq will possess nuclear weaponry very soon.

* Saddam Hussein has a history of reckless aggression and lawlessness against neighboring nations. Iraq launched a lengthy war against Iran that led to over a million deaths, invaded Kuwait and was poised to march into Saudi Arabia for control of the entire oil-rich region. Saddam was only stopped by the US-led coalition in 1991.

* Throughout the past twelve years, Saddam has systematically violated UN resolutions, including continually shooting at our aircraft in the "No-Fly Zone".

* Saddam runs a rogue regime that has a significant history of involvement in state sponsored terrorism. He has ties with al-Qaeda, the Abu Nidal group, the Palestinian Liberation Front and Mujahedin-e Khalq, among other terrorist organizations.

* In view of Saddam Hussein's perverse and violent mentality, and his profound hatred of the US particularly because we led the Gulf War coalition and subsequent efforts to contain him, it's clear that Saddam would like nothing better than to target us and our allies.

* Just a few weeks ago, several al-Qaeda operatives were apprehended in Great Britain as they planned attacks with the deadly substance Ricin. And, there have been a host of recent reports that Ricin has been manufactured and tested by al-Qaeda operatives in northern Iraq. It does not take much to connect the dots here.

* Given Saddam's character and his modus operandi, we can assume that he will attempt to use terrorist proxies to carry out assaults against the US and our allies, most notably Great Britain and Israel. Moreover, Saddam would have absolutely no reservations about providing terrorists with Weapons of Mass Destruction, even a nuclear device, if he could obtain one.

* Using terrorists as surrogates to do the "dirty work" provides Saddam Hussein with a certain element of cover and deniability. He will have others do his dirty work.

* Since Iraq represents a dangerous threat to the safety and security of the US and other nations, we will need to oust Saddam Hussein from power. We cannot remain as sitting ducks, as Saddam and his terrorist proxies plan to target us.

Beyond what President Bush will say, the issue of Iraq is obviously a very grave matter since both Secretary of State Colin Powell and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have turned hawkish on the notion of regime change.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: saddam; threat; war

1 posted on 01/27/2003 8:40:25 AM PST by politicalpal
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To: politicalpal
How about the fact that Hussein is still shooting SAM's at our pilots.
2 posted on 01/27/2003 8:52:18 AM PST by vbmoneyspender
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To: vbmoneyspender
And likely still holding one.
3 posted on 01/27/2003 8:54:58 AM PST by onedoug
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To: politicalpal
The question I've heard several times over the last few days, and one that the peaceniks need to answer, is when will war be justified? If not now, then when? What will it take? Do we have to have a nuclear weapon detonated in a major U.S. city to admit there's a threat?!

In a larger sense, I find it ironic that those who'll march for the "injustice" and "oppression" they find under every rock in the U.S., can't seem to muster concern about the average Iraqi who is denied basic human rights. Isn't that enough? If we're not willing to fight to liberate those who are denied life and liberty, than certainly protests against perceived injustices are a farce (of course, they're a farce anyhow, but that's a different thread). It's time to use the left's own retoric against them.

No Justice (for Iraq), no Peace (for Saddam)!


4 posted on 01/27/2003 9:07:17 AM PST by babyface00
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To: babyface00
JANAENE GAROFOLO'S FINDINGS: 'There is no evidence of weapons of mass destruction'...

Of course not Ms."U.N. inspector" The article below is all an illusion.

FOUND 'EM: 12 CHEMICAL WARHEADS IN SADDAM BUNKER

and this too...this too is an illusion........

http://www.kdp.pp.se/chemical.html

By the way, Ms. Garofolo, maybe you tell the US what Saddam has done with all these cute little weapons, because quite frankly, nobody knows and Saddam ain`t telling! Ain`t that great?

Among the items that remained unaccounted for in Iraq:

  • 550 bombs, shells and warheads filled with mustard and sarin gases.
  • Almost 18,000 unfilled shells and warheads - 2,000 for chemical payloads and 15,900 for biological weapons.
  • 100 warheads filled with biological toxins.
  • 4,400 tons of chemical weapons raw materials and 31,000 chemical weapons munitions.
  • 660 tons of raw materials for the deadly VX nerve agent, enough to make 220 tons of VX - enough, theoretically, to obliterate the population of the world.
  • 19 tons of growth media for biological weapons agents, enough to produce at least three times the quantity of anthrax that Iraq has admitted it produced.

Over the past few months Iraq has ordered over 1.2 millions doses of Atropine from Turkish pharmaceutical companies. Atropine is standard military issue for soldiers in conflicts where they might be exposed to poison gas. Atropine blocks the bodies uptake of nerve agents such as sarin and VX. Hmm......Now why would they order that stuff?

SADDAM NEEDS YOUR HELP

Come on gang! Join the fun! Volunteer to become a human shield!

http://www.humanshields.org

Helping the world become a better place by allowing the stupid to kill themselves

Dogeggs.com

"Exploring the dog who lays one on the flag yet reaps its rewards"

5 posted on 01/27/2003 9:11:32 AM PST by metalboy
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To: politicalpal
Madman Saddam’s Lurking Doomsday Weapon

Dave Eberhart, NewsMax
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002

An estimated 500 million people perished of smallpox in the twentieth century. This staggering figure overwhelms the 320 million deaths that resulted from all the century’s catastrophic wars, raging influenza in the 1918 pandemic, and AIDS. Chillingly, experts opine that Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein has the deadly scourge poised as a weapon - in its most virulent and deadly form, "blackpox.” Opposition Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmad Chalabi recently warned the world: "Saddam has advanced chemical weapons, he has advanced biological weapons, and he has produced and engineered biological weapons which contain a combination of viruses such as smallpox and Ebola [blackpox].”

Chalabi’s revelations to the Western media included the admonition that Saddam is "working very hard ... to position people and to move with biological and chemical terrorism across the important centers of the world.”

Propaganda? Guesswork?

Not according to America’s resident expert, Dr. Ken Alibek, defector and former assistant director of Russia’s intensive bio-warfare program, who says that on his watch Russia and Iraq both were hard at work on a recombinant virus combining smallpox and Ebola. The disease is called blackpox or Ebolapox.

According to Alibek, the resulting contagion is hardy, can be aerosolized, and is 100 percent lethal. Furthermore, there is no known vaccine for prevention and no treatment.

Alibek added grisly details. "In a blackpox infection, the skin does not develop blisters. Instead, the skin becomes dark all over. Blood vessels leak, resulting in severe internal hemorrhaging…. As a weapon, the Ebolapox would give the hemorrhages and high mortality rate of Ebola virus, which would give you a blackpox, plus the very high contagiousness of smallpox.”

There is some potential confusion in literature about blackpox. In addition to the hybrid smallpox-Ebola strain described by Alibek, the term blackpox is also used in association with a massive terror assault of garden-variety smallpox.

As expert Richard Preston told Congress: "There’s a bloody, hemorrhagic form of smallpox, which looks like the crash and bleed-out that happens with Ebola virus. Blistering and bleeding occur inside the body, in the stomach and intestines… This is called blackpox.”

Preston added, "In a military release of smallpox, the victims would be receiving extremely high doses of smallpox, far higher than in a natural outbreak, and we can suspect that many of the victims would be developing blackpox and having smallpox bleed-outs. Blackpox is even more contagious than so-called ordinary smallpox.”

Preston summed up with a telling warning: "Many people have the mistaken idea that smallpox is like an exaggerated form of chicken pox. It isn’t ... One human with smallpox can infect 20 or 30 more people.”

In either case of blackpox, one is dealing with a weapon with the potential to give new meaning to man’s historic inhumanity to man. And if there is a person on the planet with the will and instinct to obtain it and use it, that person is Saddam Hussein.

The Past is Prologue

Smallpox aside, United Nations records show that Iraq has in the past churned out more than 22,000 gallons of anthrax and 100,000 gallons of botulinum toxin, one of the world’s most lethal poisons. In 1999, weapons inspectors concluded that Iraq had successfully concealed almost 160 bombs and more than two dozen Scud missile warheads filled with anthrax.

Despite victory in the Gulf War and the subsequent flights of inspections, not even the ubiquitous Scott Ritter maintains that there was ever a clean sweep of the killer arsenal.

And the concealment continues to this day, according to reports. Saddam’s current modus operandi: keeping his bio-weapons and scientists on the go in a train of mobile van laboratories. The plan: use the contagions not to attack directly but to supply to a front terrorist group to launch against the U.S. and Israel.

As to Saddam’s unholy fascination with smallpox as a weapon, the circumstantial evidence abounds.

During the Gulf War, U.S. intelligence officers uncovered that many Iraqi soldiers had been vaccinated against the disease. Because of medical successes against the disease, vaccination is no longer routine. Even in the U.S., the vast majority of the population received immunizations decades ago – immunizations no longer considered safeguards.

As far back as In 1994, U.N. inspector teams discovered an industrial sized freeze-drier at the State Establishment for Marketing Drugs and Medical Appliances. The machine was labeled "Smallpox Machine” in Arabic.

Iraqi officials insisted that the machine was not for drying the smallpox virus, but for drying the vaccinia virus, a component of smallpox vaccine. The problem, however, with accepting such an explanation is the history of Iraq’s subterfuge when it comes to its special weapons.

For instance, Iraq vehemently denied supporting any kind of germ warfare program until 1995 – and then only after the cat was let out of the bag by Hussein Kamel, Hussein’s brother-in-law, who defected to Jordan with dramatic evidence about Saddam’s sophisticated germ warfare program.

Raw Materials

Russian sources aside, experts say Iraq may have obtained its original supply of the virus from a natural outbreak of the disease that swept Iraq in 1971 and 1972, according to "Smallpox and its Eradication,” a publication of the World Health Organization.

And as Preston explained to Congress, once you have the raw material, the rest is not rocket science:

"Smallpox virus is easy to make in large quantities. I’m not going say exactly how to do it, but basically you can grow it in glass bottles the size of wine bottles. A room full of these bottles constitutes a national biological-weapons laboratory. Virtually any nation can have such a facility, and hide it easily. All you need is a master seed strain and a few Ph.D. scientists and perhaps $200,000 worth of equipment, which can be bought on the open market.”


6 posted on 01/27/2003 10:09:04 PM PST by Balata
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