Diplomats say removal of nuclear equipment from Iraq was well-organized

[librechik]

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/288/world/Diplomats_say_removal_of_nucle:.shtml

snip

"By George Jahn, Associated Press, 10/14/2004 14:16


VIENNA, Austria (AP) Missing nuclear-related equipment in Iraq was removed by experts working systematically over an extended period, diplomats said Thursday, contradicting Iraqi officials who suggested that little was taken and only randomly by looters.

Their comments to The Associated Press were in response to assertions from Baghdad that high-precision equipment removed from Iraq's nuclear facilities was stolen haphazardly and immediately after last year's U.S. invasion.

The diplomats, who are familiar with the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, suggested the IAEA remained concerned that because of the planning and operational skills of those involved, the equipment could be sold to rogue governments or terrorist groups interested in making nuclear weapons.

In a letter to the U.N. Security Council on Monday, IAEA director-general Mohamed ElBaradei said satellite photos and follow-up investigations show ''widespread and apparently systematic dismantlement'' at sites related to Iraq's nuclear program that had once been subject to stringent monitoring. "

More at link

So, we are setting up Iran for this caper, is my guess. Am I wrong?

[daleo]

1. Who are "The Diplomats"?

From the article, the might easily be a mysterious new pop music group being teased out into the market. It doesn't even tell what country they work for.


"The diplomats, who are familiar with the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency"

"One of the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity,"

"Our assumption is that this had to have been an organized effort by professionals who had to have had heavy lifting equipment and big trucks,'' said the diplomat"

"But one of the diplomats said that Washington had not indicated any involvement"

[TheKingfish]

2. Rumsfeld was right

Dam that guy with the vase was busy.

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. Apparently whole buildings were carried off

Precision machine tools can easily be ruined by careless transportation. If this were actually done by pros, it would speak volumes on the inept nature of our government. The green zone bombing today also points this out.

[Tempest]

4. Correct me if I'm wrong, but...

Didn't this start happening AFTER the U.S. controlled the countryside?

[R Hickey]

5. Yes, it kind of makes you wonder who stole the stuff.

I wonder if the Bush people didn't steal it. They had control of the area.

[hippiechick]

6. Ding ding ding ... we have a winner !!!

:hi:

[wishlist]

7. Do any of Halliburton's subsidiaries have the dismantling expertise?

Interesting that Iraqi officials have denied that anything was done to these facilities, but UN inspectors insist they are have been dismantled. We haven't heard from U.S. officials yet though have we?

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. Back in June: US Army trying to take radioactive material

from Iraq into Kuwait. The Kuwaitis turned it back.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=625170#625568

[HysteryDiagnosis]

9. Mebbe they were taking a little more than radioactive materials n/t

[goforit]

10. Sounds like BOLOGNA to me.

[librechik]

11. Well--it's coming from the IAEA, not BushCo

for what it's worth.