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UK security chief defends government`s dossier on Iraq`s threat

IRNA

2003/08/26

London, Aug 26, IRNA -- The security chief responsible for the British
government`s dossier on Iraq`s threat Tuesday defend the controversial
claim that Saddam Hussein`s regime could have launched weapons of mass
destruction within 45 minutes. 
"Chemical and biological munitions could be with military units 
and ready for firing within 45 minutes," chairman of the Joint 
Intelligence Committee, John Scarlett, told the inquiry into the death
of former Iraq arms inspector David Kelly. 
But he indicated that the intelligence for claim was based only a 
single, second-hand source, saying it came from `an established and 
reliable line of reporting, quoting a senior and reliable Iraqi who 
was in a position to know this information`. 
The 45 minute claim is the center of a public row between the 
government and the BBC, over its report that the government 
exaggerated Saddam`s threat to justify the Iraq war. 
Following his death, the BBC confirmed that Kelly, who worked as 
an advisor for the Defense Ministry, had been the source of its 
report. 
Scarlett insisted that the 45 minutes claim was incorporated in 
the dossier because it was important. "It brought additional detail 
because it gave a particular time, gave some precision," he said. 
The inquiry, in its third week, is examining the circumstances of 
Kelly`s assumed suicide in July after being exposed as a likely 
whistleblower on the government`s Iraq claims. 
Witnesses due to give evidence this week include Prime Minister 
Tony Blair and Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon, who is expected to be the
government`s main casualty over the death. 
HC/AH/210 
End