The truth about the "smoking gun"

InHim2002 · Mar 13, 2003

In a seemingly desperate attempt to find some evidence that Iraq has WMD and is a threat to world peace the USA seized on the "huge" drone found by Blix - and there was general outrage that this evidence was 'buried' on page 16 of Blix's report -

US authorities say the unmanned aircraft is capable of carrying biological or chemical weapons.

Correspondents say the two allies will use the existence of the undeclared drone to push their view that Iraq is ignoring its responsibilities and may have to be disarmed by force.

The two nations are reported to be angry that the chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix did not make more of the discovery of the remotely controlled aircraft.
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BBC

Indeed, there were even claims that this is proof of Blix's bias and even some who argued that this 'evidence' was hidden so that Blix could try and win the 1 million nobel peace prize.

Well - it appears that the actual truth is somewhat different:

AL-TAJI, Iraq (AP) -- A remotely piloted aircraft that the United States has warned could spread chemical weapons appears to be made of balsa wood and duct tape, with two small propellors attached to what look like the engines of a weed whacker.

Iraqi officials took journalists to the Ibn Firnas State Company just north of Baghdad on Wednesday, where the drone's project director accused Secretary of State Colin Powell of misleading the U.N. Security Council and the public.
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source

and

In a report released Monday, U.N. weapons inspectors stated that Iraq had not declared the drone as it was required to do under two separate U.N. Security Council resolutions. The Bush administration promptly seized upon the statement to bolster its argument that Iraq has been flouting U.N. disarmament rules. John D. Negroponte, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, suggested that the drone could travel beyond U.N.-imposed limits, while Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said it can dispense biological and chemical weapons and thus "should be of concern to everybody."

Iraqi officials dismissed all those comments as untruths, arguing that the drone was included in a weapons declaration submitted to the inspectors, that the aircraft's range is significantly less than the 93-mile limit and that it has no ability to spread chemical or biological agents.

"He's making a big mistake," Latif said of Powell. "He knows very well that this aircraft is not used for what he said."

U.N. officials acknowledged today that the drone was mentioned in a semi-annual arms declaration Iraq submitted in January. The U.N. officials also said they are not sure whether the aircraft can exceed range restrictions or carry prohibited weapons. One official privately cast doubt on those possibilities, noting that the drone does not appear to have guidance and cargo technology sophisticated enough to do those things.
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Washington Post

and

Al-Taji, Iraq-AP -- Iraqi officials have given journalists a look at a drone that looks more like a model airplane.

It's made of balsa wood and duct tape, with two small propellers attached to what look like the engines of a weed whacker.

The words "God is great" are emblazoned on the fuselage.
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source

Once again, we discover that the claims of the US government regarding supposed Iraqi WMD are distortions and spin.

Matt Black · Mar 13, 2003

Yes, indeed.

Yours in Christ

Matt

I Am Blessed 24 · Mar 13, 2003

Let's don't forget that these reports initially came from Iraq. That, in itself, is food for thought.

I found these two items in the report especially interesting...

1. Iraq showed journalists Wednesday what it SAID was the drone.

2. While SMALL , Blix said, drones CAN be used to spray biological warfare agents such as anthrax. He said the drone had NOT been declared by Iraq to inspectors.

Blessings,
Sue

InHim2002 · Mar 13, 2003

1. Iraq showed journalists Wednesday what it SAID was the drone.
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well no one from the UN or USA has claimed that this is not the case - in fact the UN have said:

In New York, Ewen Buchanan, spokesman for chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix, said after inspectors examined photographs of the drone: "Yes, it would appear to be the drone with the 7.45 meter (24.5 foot) wingspan that was discovered by inspectors recently."
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fox news

2. While SMALL , Blix said, drones CAN be used to spray biological warfare agents such as anthrax. He said the drone had NOT been declared by Iraq to inspectors.
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Drones can be, yes - this drone? not really - it has to be operated by someone within line of sight of the drone so it would not be a very effective method of delivery - also it is unlikely that it has sufficent power to carry anything but cameras.

Secondly, Blix is wrong - Iraq did declare the drone - if you read the article it states:

U.N. officials acknowledged today that the drone was mentioned in a semi-annual arms declaration Iraq submitted in January
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[ March 13, 2003, 08:28 AM: Message edited by: InHim2002 ]

The truth about the "smoking gun"

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