[Rhodes22-list] Arms Inspector response to GWB SOTU Address

[bberner@optonline.net]

   Paul -

   The point is not to show me the evidence, assuming it exists, show it
   to the inspectors who have been charged with finging out what
   capabilities Iraq has.

   If the inspectors were to prove that Hussein has nukes or is actively
   pursuing them, the US would not be finding itself in nearly as
   difficult a stiuation with the other permanent members of the Security
   Council.
   Bill Berner
   v: 914.478.2896
   f: 914.478.3856
   e: BBerner@optonline.net

   ----- Original Message -----

   From: Paul Grandholm <paul@mi.chtechnology.com>

   Date: Thursday, January 30, 2003 3:18 pm

   Subject: re: [Rhodes22-list] Arms Inspector response to GWB SOTU
   Address

   > Bill,
   >
   > I don't know that any of us know for sure. As a free
   > society, we've
   > gotten used to the idea that we have the right to know everything
   > about
   > everything. However, I think there are some things that the
   > public just
   > may not have the right to know, especially if it could compromise
   > our
   > position. (Like the old spy joke: "I'd tell you, but then I'd
   > have to
   > kill you.") Having said that, from what we do know, I'm inclined
   > to
   > agree with you. My guess is that Iraq has thus far probably been
   > unable
   > to attain or build nuclear weapons. Not necessarily from lack of
   > trying,
   > just from lack of success. I also believe Saddam will keep trying
   > until
   > he does.
   >
   > Keep in mind that Mohamed ElBaradei in only one third of the
   > component. Hans Blix heads the inspectors looking for Chemical &
   > Biological material, representing the other two thirds. We know
   > they
   > have that capability because they have used them in the past, even
   > on
   > their own people. The last group of inspectors documented them.
   > Now
   > we're supposed to believe that, poof, they're gone without a trace
   > or
   > that they never existed.
   >
   > "W" put it short & sweet when he was in our fair state
   > yesterday:
   > "In my judgment, you don't contain Saddam Hussein. You don't hope
   > that
   > therapy will somehow change his evil mind. The risks of doing
   > nothing,
   > the risk of assuming the best from Saddam Hussein, is just not a
   > risk
   > worth taking."
   >
   > Paul
   > >
   > > I heard Mohammed al Barady, director of the International Atomic
   > > Energy Institute (I may be dlightly off on the name of the
   > agency),> and head of the inspection team on Iraqs nuclear
   > weapons program
   > > interviewed last night.
   > >
   > > He had a couple of comments on things that GWB said about Iraq's
   > > nuclear weapons program, I found intstructive.
   > >
   > > First, he said that while it is possible that the aluminum
   > tubes that
   > > Saddam imported, and Bush cited as evidence of a nuclear weapons
   > > program, could be used for that purpose, it is extremely
   > unlikely, as
   > > they would require extensive modifications. The more likely, and
   > > amittedly only somewhat less distrubing, use is for building
   > > conventional missiles.
   > >
   > > Second, responding to Bush's statement that the US
   > > possesses intelligence that proves Hussein has purchased enriched
   > > uranium, al Barady (again remember he is working for the UN
   > > determining whether Iraq has or is developing nukes) said that
   > despite> numerous requests to examine that intelligence over the
   > last 2 months,
   > > it has not been produced. In my mind, and his implication
   > seems to
   > > be, that the intelligence may not actually exist or wouldn't
   > stand up
   > > to scrutiny. Maybe Powell will shed some light on this when
   > he speaks
   > > to the Security Council next week.
   > >
   > > Now this is not to say that Mohammed al Barady believes that Iraq
   > > doesn't have a nuke program. He only says that there is no
   > proof at
   > > this point. He did say that he believes that permitted to
   > continue> inspections for another couple of months his team
   > could determine with
   > > certainty whether such a program exists or not.
   > >
   > > BB
   > > Bill Berner
   > > v: 914.478.2896
   > > f: 914.478.3856
   > > e: BBerner@optonline.net
   > >_________________________________________________
   > >Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
   >
   >
   >
   > ========================
   > Paul Grandholm
   > C&H Technology
   > GrandPower Components Div.
   > ========================
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