U.N. Weapons Inspectors: Weapons Materials Missing from 109 Sites in Iraq

[G_j]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5048966,00.html

U.N.: Weapons Equipment Missing in Iraq

Friday June 3, 2005 2:01 AM


By EDITH M. LEDERER

Associated Press Writer

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.N. satellite imagery experts have determined that material that could be used to make biological or chemical weapons and banned long-range missiles has been removed from 109 sites in Iraq, U.N. weapons inspectors said in a report obtained Thursday.

U.N. inspectors have been blocked from returning to Iraq since the U.S.-led war in 2003 so they have been using satellite photos to see what happened to the sites that were subject to U.N. monitoring because their equipment had both civilian and military uses.

In the report to the U.N. Security Council, acting chief weapons inspector Demetrius Perricos said he's reached no conclusions about who removed the items or where they went. He said it could have been moved elsewhere in Iraq, sold as scrap, melted down or purchased.

He said the missing material can be used for legitimate purposes. ``However, they can also be utilized for prohibited purposes if in a good state of repair.''

..more..

[atommom]

1. What an inane statement ... they could be used for legitimate purposes

or prohibited purposes. If we can't account for them, how likely are we to consider their use "legitimate," considering who probably has them?

[Spazito]

2. What I find interesting is that the UN is using satellite imagery

to try and keep track of the material given the US is blocking their return to Iraq. One has to wonder what else they may have picked up with the imagery, it could make the bush cabal a little concerned, I would think.

It will be interesting to see what response, if any, the bush cabal has to this report.

[Postman]

3. If, as Cheney and Rumsfeld say, there were enough troops in Iraq

during the invasion and afterwards for occupation, all of these sites would have been secured.

Apparently not.