05 July 2000
Text: State Department Question and Answer on Iraq's Missile Program
(U.S. is concerned about Iraq's missile procurement activity) (210) Following is the State Department's response to a question on Iraq's missile program taken at the July 5 daily briefing: (begin text) U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman July 5, 2000 Taken Question From 07-05 Daily Briefing TAKEN QUESTION QUESTION: Has Iraq resumed its missile program? Is it developing short-range missile only? What are the implications for pursuing long-range missile capabilities? ANSWER: As you know, it is not our practice to comment on matters that purportedly relate to intelligence information. We are concerned by activity at Iraqi sites known to be capable of proscribed activity, including producing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and long-range ballistic missiles, as well as by Iraq's long-established practice of procurement activity that could include dual-use items with WMD applications. In the absence of United Nations inspectors on the ground -- carrying out the Security Council mandate restated as recently as December 17 in the new resolution 1284 -- uncertainties about the significance of these activities will persist. As time passes, our concerns will increase. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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