Thursday, October 2, 2003
NYT: What Inspectors Saw, and Didn't See
Tomorrow's New York Times will have some interesting info on the still ongoing David Kay investigations into Iraq's WMD programs.
Some highlights:
• Inspectors have not yet determined whether the research was tied to large-scale military weapons or to biological terror weapons.
• Scientists reported that work was under way with surrogate organisms that could have been adapted to organisms suitable for weapons.
• One vial was found containing the organism C. botulinum Okra B, from which a biological agent can be produced. It was hidden in a scientist's house.
• Inspectors were unable to prove that Iraq had mobile biological production trailers, but could not rule it out. "We are confident we will be able to get an answer," Mr. Kay said.
CHEMICAL WEAPONS
• Much of Iraq's ability to produce chemical weapons was destroyed during and after the 1991 Persian Gulf war, and there is little information so far on how many chemical weapons might have been retained.
• "Multiple sources" have suggested that Iraq "explored" the possibility of resuming production, perhaps as late as this year.
• The inspectors have not found evidence that Iraqi military units were prepared to use chemical weapons against invading American and British troops.
NUCLEAR PROGRAMS
• There is no evidence so far of significant steps to build nuclear weapons or produce fissile material for them.
• Scientists have said, "Saddam Hussein remained firmly committed to acquiring nuclear weapons."
• Iraq appeared to be maintaining the expertise to resume nuclear research, and may have considered rebuilding a centrifuge enrichment program.
DELIVERY SYSTEMS
• Ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and perhaps unmanned aircraft were being developed that, if completed, would have had ranges beyond the 90-mile limit imposed by the United Nations, perhaps up to 600 miles.
(Emphasis mine.)
A mixed bag not anywhere near as negative or empty as some of the rumors may have lead us to believe it would be. We'll see what the future holds, but it certainly seems that what Kay will end up presenting is an analysis of WMD programs, etc...not any of the stockpiles themselves. I believe politically that will be enough to blunt the blow to the administration of the missing chemicals, but it's still too soon to say.
And don't read this Reuters editorial news item unless you've taken your blood pressure pill. Apparently, everything is going down the shitter. U.S. Suffers U.N. Setback Over Iraq; No WMD Found
Compounding Washington's problems, the CIA official directing the weapons search in Iraq reported to U.S. lawmakers that no chemical or biological arms -- the main reason cited for the U.S.-led invasion in March -- had yet been found.
In Baghdad, the top U.S. general in the country, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, said guerrilla attacks had become more lethal and casualties would continue rising...
