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Iraqi Scientists Threatened With Death if They Cooperate With U.N. Inspectors
abc News ^ | February 10, 2003 | By Christopher Isham and Brian Ross

Posted on 02/10/2003 3:01:30 PM PST by UncleSamUSA

Feb. 10 — In the last 10 days, United Nations inspectors have been given what are described as "important, new and credible leads" from a recent defector, who also told ABCNEWS that Iraqi scientists involved in the nuclear, chemical and biological weapons program were systematically intimidated.

The defector, interviewed by ABCNEWS in an undisclosed European country, is an engineer described as close to several of the weapons scientists who, he said, live in fear. Many of the scientists are eager to cooperate with the United Nations, but the intimidation is so effective that the scientists are terrified of meeting in private with the inspectors. One scientist who met with the inspectors this week was so frightened, it took an hour for him to stop shaking, according to U.N. sources.

"Iraqi scientists and researchers are under a lot of pressure and influence by the Iraqi authorities," the Iraqi defector told ABCNEWS. "They were scared and threatened in different ways, including threatening to go after their families if they leave Iraq to meet with inspectors and going after their relatives if their families go with them and going after them even if they were in exile.

"For these reasons, the scientist or researcher becomes scared to tell the secrets, even though he knows it's a way to lift the difficult, miserable conditions the Iraqi people are living under."

According to the Iraqi, many of the scientists involved in the weapons of mass destruction program are housed with their families at a secret compound in downtown Baghdad.

In mid-October 2002, when it became clear that U.N. inspectors would be returning to Iraq, the security at the compound was upgraded substantially and the personnel elevated from low-level Iraqi police officers to members of the elite Special Security Organization, which is responsible for ensuring the loyalty of all security and military personnel, protecting the president and controlling the weapons of mass destruction launch platforms.

Scientists Detained, ‘Loyalty’ Questioned

At about the same time, a group of approximately seven to 10 scientists involved in the secret weapons of mass destruction programs were detained and taken to another secret location. These scientists were detained because their loyalties to the regime were in question.

According to the Iraqi, the scientists were not permitted to communicate with their families. "They went to their work as usual, as any other day," he said. "They were detained there and taken to unknown places. Afterwards, their families were contacted and assured that they will return shortly and that they were in good condition."

Most of the scientists were released between one to two months later. One of the scientists who was released in late November was killed in a mysterious automobile crash less than a week after he returned. The message to the other scientists was clear:

"This was a clear message from the Iraqi authorities to all scientists and researchers to stay away from the inspection teams and not to tell any secrets or give any piece of information that could harm the Iraqi government," said the Iraqi defector, "because if they do, their fate would be the same as their colleague's."

Saddam Hussein's security organizations have killed a number of opponents in arranged "accidents" Amatzia Bar'am, a professor in the Department of Middle Eastern History at the University of Haifa in Israel, told ABCNEWS. "I could provide you with 10 such cases during the last few years," he said. "If you assassinate someone like that, there is no reason for it except to warn everybody watch it, you don't want to divulge any secrets."

Held Legally Responsible

The Iraqi also revealed, for the first time, how the scientists were compelled to sign two documents. The first was a declaration that he would cooperate fully with the U.N. inspectors. The second declaration negates the first, obliging every Iraqi researcher and scientist not to cooperate with the U.N. teams and hide the information.

"If he causes any harm to the Iraqi authorities, he is considered legally responsible," said the defector. "The first pledge is public and a copy is sent to the U.N., while the second is only for some Iraqi security agencies."

The words "legally responsible" have a particular meaning in Saddam Hussein's Iraq. "The penalty: killing and torture and going after the family, even if in exile."

American intelligence sources say this defector was one of those whose information was used in Colin Powell's speech to the U.N. Security Council last week. Powell said, "Some of these sources have put their lives on the line to talk to us."

The description of the secret compound and secret pledges is consistent with what many experts say is Saddam Hussein's usual tactics.

"He has a need for legal niceties, and this is exactly what he has done in the past: getting people to sign pledges not to harm the country," said Bar'am. "They know then they face death if they do."

The Iraqi has been interviewed by U.S. intelligence officials who have found his story to be credible and have verified certain key details.

The defector's information about the intimidation of the scientists is being pursued this week in Baghdad, according to U.N. sources.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 02/10/2003 3:01:30 PM PST by UncleSamUSA
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To: UncleSamUSA
This can't be true. The Hollywood left assures us these guys are being completely honest when they talk to inspectors and we shouldn't be trying to intimidate them into lying about their country.
2 posted on 02/10/2003 3:03:47 PM PST by Arkie2
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To: UncleSamUSA
The fact that Iraq is intimidating and pressuring its scientists to not cooperate with the UN is not all that surprising. What is surprising to me is the source of this article: ABC news. The news organization most in sympathy with the anti-War left and most suspicious of US motives.

Now they are agreeing with a prime US contention that Iraq's scientists are fearful of telling the UN what is really going on in the WMD program. Interesting.

I will watch part of the ABC newscast tonight (as tough as that is going to be for me to watch Peter Jennings, the prime idiot) and see if this is featured there.
3 posted on 02/10/2003 3:04:31 PM PST by UncleSamUSA
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To: UncleSamUSA
You would think that even a liberal could understand that if Iraq threatens death to those scientists who would attempt to cooperate with the UN, it means they are hiding something they don't want us to learn - which is on its face evidence of material breach, and therefore, let's roll. But noooooooooooooooo.
4 posted on 02/10/2003 3:04:40 PM PST by coloradan
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To: UncleSamUSA
Reported by ABC news, no less.

No big surprise, but it's nice to see them reporting on it.

One scientist who met with the inspectors this week was so frightened, it took an hour for him to stop shaking, according to U.N. sources.

I assume this to be true. France and Germany have got to be in Saddam's pocket in some manner.

5 posted on 02/10/2003 3:08:02 PM PST by r9etb
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To: UncleSamUSA
I doubt there is anyone in Iraq who does not know of the horrors of the Butcher of Baghdad. When our tanks fill their streets, all they will have to say is "What took you so long?"
6 posted on 02/10/2003 3:11:42 PM PST by Toskrin
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To: r9etb
Aviation Week and Space Technology ran an article a few weeks ago telling how Germany and Sweden have sold earth boring machinery to Iraq since the gulf war. According to the article, these machines are a quantum leap over anything that existed previously. Using them Saddam has managed to dig tunnels far underground that are totally impervious we have short of nukes. I'm sure the Germans are in far deeper than just selling earth borers. They built all Saddam's bunkers before the Gulf War. They're quite happy to help any enemy of Israel apparently.

As for the French they have huge oil contracts with Saddam that they will lose if he gets kicked out. That and they're just perverse beyond all reason.
7 posted on 02/10/2003 3:14:40 PM PST by Arkie2
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To: UncleSamUSA
The lamestream press starting to report this?? Let's see if it makes the evening news or if it is only limited to the web site and the overnight coverage (2-5 a.m. depending on time zone). Please report if Jennings covers this tonight.

(BTW, Jennings is coming to Albuquerque on Thursday [unless the balloon goes up before then] to appear on the local p.m. newscasts; the local dears are so excited they can hardly keep from p**ing in their pants when they announce it on the local news.)

8 posted on 02/10/2003 3:20:34 PM PST by CedarDave (Iraq is a serial abuser)
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To: Toskrin
According to the Iraqi, many of the scientists involved in the weapons of mass destruction program are housed with their families at a secret compound in downtown Baghdad.

This can't be good. As soon as the war turns against Iraq, I predict all these scientists will be killed by Saddam's henchmen. Their deaths will be blamed on U.S. bombs.

Old Iraqi saying: "Dead men tell no tales".

9 posted on 02/10/2003 3:23:40 PM PST by BigBobber
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To: BigBobber
Indeed, it would be very sad to see that, but in Iraq they and their families are probably "dead men walking" anyway. However, there should be lots of other evidence around; its doubtful that they can destroy it all.
10 posted on 02/10/2003 3:32:17 PM PST by CedarDave (Iraq is a serial abuser)
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Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: Arkie2
The blonde bimbo on one of the TV talk shows this morning (it may have been Katie Couric) was interviewing an Iraqi woman scientist who reportedly masterminded Iraq's creation of its WMD. She assured the bimbo that the weapons were initially created as a "deterrent" but they no longer have them, and the bimbo seemed to believe everything she was told.
12 posted on 02/10/2003 3:35:12 PM PST by Verginius Rufus
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To: Badabing Badaboom
hilarious.
13 posted on 02/10/2003 3:46:03 PM PST by Keith
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To: Verginius Rufus
The bimbo was Diane Sawyer who wants desperately to believe that President Bush is solely responsible for the evil in this world and that Saddamn Hussein's scientists are all just working on improving baby milk factories.
14 posted on 02/10/2003 3:48:40 PM PST by demnomo
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To: UncleSamUSA
That isn't the point. The left assumes that Iraq DOES have WMD. Its position is, "big deal." Ridding Saddam of WMD isn't worth war. Heck, it isn't worth sanctions. Can't we all just get along and let Saddam have what he wants so we don't need to fight?

That is the true position of the left. The rest is just denial and window dressing so they don't look quite as foolish to their fellow enablers.
15 posted on 02/10/2003 3:53:00 PM PST by Starrgaizr
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To: UncleSamUSA
Do you think the United States would turn Saddam and his sons over to the Iraqi people to exact revenge? Even better than that....turn Saddam and his sons over to the Iraqi women who's family members have been murdered by this dictator.

Like Archie Bunker said....Hell hath no fury like a woman's corns!!!!
16 posted on 02/10/2003 4:19:15 PM PST by Arpege92
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To: UncleSamUSA
Bumping for a later read.
17 posted on 02/10/2003 4:37:12 PM PST by Lady In Blue
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To: UncleSamUSA
I am so looking forward to the hundreds (thousands?) of "I told you so" moments we'll enjoy once we liberate Iraq and begin mapping all the WMDs.
18 posted on 02/10/2003 4:46:45 PM PST by upchuck
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To: r9etb
One scientist who met with the inspectors this week was so frightened, it took an hour for him to stop shaking, according to U.N. sources.

I assume this to be true. France and Germany have got to be in Saddam's pocket in some manner.

France and Germany should also be held accountable if anything happens to these people

19 posted on 02/10/2003 4:46:55 PM PST by Mo1
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To: upchuck
I am so looking forward to the hundreds (thousands?) of "I told you so" moments we'll enjoy once we liberate Iraq and begin mapping all the WMDs.

Plus... all the torture chambers, prisons, mass graves, etc.

20 posted on 02/10/2003 4:52:22 PM PST by upchuck
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