The Boston Herald December 9, 2002
Analysis of Iraq report begins; U.S., U.N. set to scrutinize Saddam's weapons denial
By Jules CrittendenThe painstaking task of analyzing Iraq's hefty declaration that it has no illegal weapons programs - and possibly catching Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in a lie - began late last night, as the massive report was carried to Vienna and New York.
Both United Nations and U.S. officials are expected to take weeks to respond to the 12,000-page document. While reports indicate the U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf has at least doubled in recent weeks, officials said they expect the Bush administration will allow the inspection process to continue for now.
At the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, a U.N. official said four or five people would begin studying the document last night. Jacques Baute, head of the IAEA Iraq Action Team, said, "We have a small team that is going to screen it in order to assess the amount of effort we need to put in in the upcoming week." The IAEA hopes to give the Security Council an assessment of nuclear issues in the declaration within 10 days. Two more copies were flown to New York - one for the Security Council and one for the U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission, which will examine the document's biological and chemical sections.
The United States has threatened war if Baghdad does not meet U.N. arms control demands. Iraqi Gen. Amer al-Saadi, called the declaration "accurate, comprehensive and truthful" and challenged those who contend otherwise to come forward with proof.
"If they have anything to the contrary, let them come up with it . . . Why play this game?" al-Saadi said.
The White House maintained silence yesterday, after Bush said Saturday he "will judge the declaration's honesty and completeness only after we have thoroughly examined it."
U.S. officials said Friday Bush would declare Iraq in "material breach" of last month's U.N. resolution if it stated it has no banned weapons. But they said Bush will not push immediately for war, letting U.N. inspections continue while he courts partners to help strike Iraq.
Congressmen said the administration must weigh releasing intelligence it claims proves Saddam has an illegal weapons program.
"It may very well be that the advice of our allies will be that we ought to go very public, that we ought to have worldwide opinion," said Sen. Richard Lugar, (R-Ind.), the next Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman. "I think these are delicate judgments."
A major Iran-based Iraqi opposition group, the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, said it has evidence "which proves Saddam has chemical weapons" and is ready to give the documents to the United Nations.
Inspectors searched suspect sites in Iraq yesterday, including a pesticides factory the United States said is producing chemical weapons. Plant chief Haidar Taha said, "This is all for civilian use."
Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier group USS Harry S. Truman is on its way to take over operations in the Mediterranean, as routinely scheduled. The USS George Washington carrier group is due to head back to Norfolk Dec. 20, but could stay if needed, officials said.
GlobalSecurity.Org estimates there are about 44,000 U.S. military personnel and 370 combat aircraft in the region, compared to past averages of up to 25,000 troops and 200 planes. A New York Times report placed U.S. troop strength at 60,000 and cited sources saying there will be enough troops and equipment there to attack by January.
© Copyright 2002 The Boston Herald
