German firms searched on Iraq weapons suspicion

[Barrett808]

Four German firms have been searched by police on suspicion of supplying weapons components to Iraq. The searches were carried out following a report in a news magazine. "Stern" magazine reports in its Internet edition that its reporters found references to the German firms in files of the Bashir Trading Company in Baghdad. Stern says its reporters found contracts, supply dockets and payment orders in the company showing how Iraq acquired western high-tech military goods in defiance of a United Nations embargo. The magazine says the Bashir company was the secret central agency for procuring various types of weapons for former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,4789_W_978477,00.html

[Barrett808]

1. Has anybody seen more on this?

Seems like a potentially big story.

[Kellanved]

2. here is the Stern story

(German)
http://www.stern.de/politik/ausland/index.html?id=513432&q=irak%20waffen

It accuses Russian, Polish, American, South-Korean and German firms of supplying Iraq via Syria with Migs, chemicals an Ammunition-plant, bugs, cannon-barrels, helicopters and other goods. However none of the goods smuggled are usable for ABC-programs...