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The Brits Make the Case (Part II)

- Tuesday, September 24, 2002 |
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So they have these chemicals and biological agents; who is to say they’re going to use them in weapons form? After all, chemicals make fertilizers; perhaps they’re going to farm tomatoes. “Iraq’s Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Assessment of the British Government” concludes that:


So they have these chemicals and biological agents; who is to say they’re going to use them in weapons form? After all, chemicals make fertilizers; perhaps they’re going to farm tomatoes. “Iraq’s Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Assessment of the British Government” concludes that:

  • Iraq has a useable chemical and biological weapons capability, in breach of UNSCR 687, which has included recent production of chemical and biological agents;
  • Iraq can deliver chemical and biological agents using an extensive range of artillery shells, free-fall bombs, sprayers and ballistic missiles;

    • Iraq acknowledged to UNSCOM the deployment to two sites of free-fall bombs filled with biological agents during 1990-91. These bombs were filled with anthrax, botulinum toxin and aflatoxin. Iraq also acknowledged possession of four types of aerial bomb with various chemical agent fills including sulphur mustard, tabun, sarin and cyclosarin;
    • Iraq made extensive use of artillery munitions filled with chemical agents during the Iran-Iraq War. Mortars can also be used for chemical agent delivery. Iraq is known to have tested the use of shells and rockets filled with biological agents. Over 20,000 artillery munitions remain unaccounted for by UNSCOM;
    • Iraq carried out studies into aerosol dispersion of biological agents prior to 1991. UNSCOM was unable to account for many of these devices. It is probable that Iraq retains a capability for aerosol dispersal of both chemical and biological agents over a large area. We know from intelligence that Iraq has attempted to modify the L-29 jet trainer to allow it to be used as a UAV, which is potentially capable of delivering chemical and biological agents over a large area.

  • Iraq possesses extended-range versions of the SCUD ballistic missile in breach of UNSCR 687, which are capable of reaching Cyprus, Eastern Turkey, Tehran and Israel. It is also developing longer-range ballistic missiles;

    • Iraq told UNSCOM that it filled warheads with anthrax, botulinum toxin and aflatoxin. Iraq also developed chemical agent warheads for al-Hussein (range 650 km). Iraq admitted to producing 50 chemical warheads for al-Hussein that were intended for the delivery of a mixture of sarin and cyclosarin

  • Iraq’s current military planning specifically envisages the use of chemical and biological weapons; Iraq’s military forces are able to use chemical and biological weapons, with command, control and logistical arrangements in place. (They) are able to deploy these weapons within 45 minutes of a decision to do so;
  • Iraq is already taking steps to conceal and disperse sensitive equipment and documentation in advance of the return of inspectors; Iraq’s chemical, biological, nuclear and ballistic missiles programs are well-funded.

Tomato salad, anyone?