re: "Explosives smuggled to Russia" story (must-read FT reported denials)

[troublemaker]

Usually one posts the first four paragraphs, but in this case the last four are more important. This is the FINANCIAL TIMES version of what the WASHINGTON TIMES is running with. I don't know how complete the WASH TIMES will chose to be, so this version ought to be represented in the mix. Only after the main facts (John A. Shaw, the deputy undersecretary of defense for international technology security goes waaaay off message and blames Russia for swiping the explosives) come the denials and distancing from the hapless military guy -- a long series of polite official versions of "this guy is nuts" that may or may not make the republican mouthpiece WASH TIMES and I expect will magically disappear from the republican talk radio version tomorrow. (they don't like nuance)

The Russian embassy in Washington rejected the claims as “nonsense”, saying there were no Russian military in the country at the time.

Mr Shaw, who heads the Pentagon’s international armament and technology trade directorate, has not provided evidence for his claims and the Pentagon distanced itself from his remarks.

“I am unaware of any particular information on that point,” said Larry Di Rita, Pentagon spokesman. The issue has dominated the presidential campaign since the International Atomic Energy Agency raised it at the UN Security Council on Monday. The Iraqi government says the explosives disappeared during looting after US forces seized Baghdad. But Colonel Dave Perkins, who commanded the first troops into al-Qaqaa, yesterday said it was “highly improbable” someone could have removed the munitions after US forces had taken control of the area.

The US has in the past raised concerns about Russian activities in Iraq before the invasion. During the war, Mr Bush called Vladimir Putin, Russian president, to voice concerns that Russian companies at least one state-owned had provided Iraq with anti-tank guided missiles, satellite jamming devices and night-vision goggles. Russia denied the charges and promised an investigation.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a4bc50c6-2870-11d9-9308-00000e2511c8.html

[Beetwasher]

1. Oooh Ooooh! I Got A BELIEF Too About What I Think Happened To the Weapons!

I wonder if the WT will quote me too!

I belive that extra-dimensional time travelling aliens from Fglrsnp transported the weapons through a space-time rift to use them to mine adamantite that's buried deep in crust of the 8th moon of the fourth planet in their system. The adamantite will be used to build giant, indestructible dildos that they plan to use as offerings for their new god, Bill O'Reilly.

How'd I do?

[notadmblnd]

3. I heard it was Dorks from the planet Dorkon

nt

[sundancekid]

5. my sentiments exactly: piss on the story AND the sign

[pa28]

2. If it's true it further calls Bush's into question.

Remember, Putin endorsed Bush because of his soft posture toward Russia. If it's true this is worse than the original story.

[truthpusher]

4. Iraqi witnesses

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x937943