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Blair on Iraq's War PlansFri, January 24, 2003Source: Ananova NewsDowning Street says Iraq's apparent preparation for chemical warfare shows Saddam Hussein is defying the United NationsDowning Street says Iraq's apparent preparation for chemical warfare shows Saddam Hussein is defying the United Nations. Documents smuggled out of the country by the Iraqi opposition suggest troops are being issued with chemical protection suits. The hand-written Arabic notes fit a "clear pattern" of non-compliance with the UN, Tony Blair's official spokesman said. The documents, passed to the BBC, also say the elite Republican Guard units have been issue with the drug atropine, used to counter the effects of nerve gas. The notes brought out of Iraq in the past month, and verified by three different experts, suggest that the chemical suits and anti-nerve gas drugs have been smuggled into Iraq from neighbouring countries. Details of unmanned submarine tests designed to attack ships in the Gulf and information on fibre-optic radar systems and plans of the layout of presidential palaces are also said to be included. Mr Blair's official spokesman said Number 10 could not vouch for their authenticity but he said they fit the pattern of Saddam's refusal to co-operate with Unscom inspectors and disarm, as demanded by UN resolution 1441. "What is emerging is a clear pattern which suggests not only that Saddam has weapons of mass destruction but that he is also continuing to try and conceal it." Even if true the documents strengthened the case against war, senior Labour MP Tam Dalyell said. He said: "I have always said there may be some leftovers of chemical weapons. The most sure way of their being used is if Saddam is cornered in Baghdad. It is certainly no reason for going to war." |
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