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| Axis of Evil |
| Green cards to lure Iraqi scientists |
| 2002-11-21 |
| The United States is offering a fast track to American citizenship for Iraqi scientists willing to blow the whistle on Saddam Hussein's alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Under the Iraqi Scientists Immigration Act of 2002, passed by the Senate on Wednesday, up to 500 scientists could be given green cards if they reveal critical information on weapons programmes.The bill, which could be passed by the House of Representatives as early as Friday, applies to scientists, engineers and technicians. This is so devious, I love it! It fits right in with the part of the U.N. resolution that lets us take scientists and their families out of Iraq to interview them. They have had this in mind all along. It is hoped that the bill, which was proposed by Senator Joseph Biden in October, could have a two-fold effect: Firstly, it would reveal details of weapons of mass destruction, which Washington firmly believes Iraq has been developing. Secondly it would drain Iraq of key experts, vital to any such weapon programme that might be underway. To be eligible for the scheme arms specialists must have worked in a programme to deliver WMD since 16 December 1998. They must also volunteer "critical, reliable information" which could provide evidence that despite its denials Iraq is working to build or deliver chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. If so, they and their immediate families would be able to bypass normal immigration procedures and take up permanent residence in the US. But the number who could be accepted has been capped at 500 scientists, and anyone failing to meet the requirements will fail to qualify. They are only taking the first 500 guys to spill the beans. Line forms on the right, stop pushing. Under the bill the US Secretary of State and Attorney General would control the resettlement programme. "Hello, my name is Colin and this is my good friend John. Welcome to America." OK, no way Saddam lets those scientists out. That's a major violation of the resolution, and that's war! |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 "But on a darker note: how many scientists are going to be disappeared in the next couple of weeks?" Dead scientists do not work on WMD, at least not very well. So either way, Saddam loses key scientists for his program. |
| Posted by: drakon 2002-11-22 06:20:37 |
| #2 What do you know, old Joe Biden put up a good one. I like this one as well. Does it extend to family members who come along with the scientist? But on a darker note: how many scientists are going to be disappeared in the next couple of weeks? Want to bet that Kofi wouldn't consider such a thing to be a material breach? |
| Posted by: Steve White 2002-11-21 20:33:24 |
| #1 I agree. A terrific idea! And the number 500 is pretty liberal: its 500 SCIENTISTS, not 500 scientists and family members. Most of these people would be fluent in English or some other foreign language, and wouldn't take long to hit the ground running here in the good ol' U.S. of A. One of my suspicions is that some of these guys may have deliberately drug their feet building the WMD, either by creating obstacles or maybe citing other difficulties and roadblocks, hoping to buy time for the cavalry to arrive. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2002-11-21 15:06:54 |