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| Iraq |
| Experts Say Iraqi Missile Range Too Far |
| 2003-02-12 |
| International missile experts found that an Iraqi missile exceeded the maximum 93-mile range allowed under U.N. resolutions, U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte said Wednesday. He said it is now up to chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix to recommend what to do about the violation. The experts met at U.N. headquarters on Monday and Tuesday to examine Iraq's production of the al-Samoud 2 and al-Fatah missiles, which in some tests exceeded the maximum range allowed under Security Council resolutions in place since the 1991 Gulf War. "I think the experts found that the al-Samoud is in breach of the ... limits," Negroponte said. "Let's see what Dr. Blix recommends." Yes, Friday is going to be a interesting day. Blix has promised to give his assessment of the missile programs to the Security Council when it meets Friday to hear his latest report on Iraq. A finding that the programs violate Iraq's disarmament obligations could provide new ammunition to the U.S. case for military action against Iraq. Blix explained last week that he wanted international experts, not just his own, to study the technical issues regarding Iraq's missile programs. He said he also wants U.N. lawyers to look at the legal side of the matter. Oh, great, just what we need, UN lawyers. The experts came from seven nations with missile programs including the five permanent council members - the United States, Britain, Russia, China and France - as well as Ukraine and Germany. Guess they didn't get the memo to go easy on Iraq. Secretary of State Colin Powell, outlining the U.S. case to the Security Council last week, said the missiles were prohibited. He also accused Baghdad of illegally importing rocket engines and trying to produce ballistic missiles that fly farther than 625 miles. Blix told a news conference in Baghdad on Sunday that Iraq turned over more papers this weekend on the two missile types, though he gave no details. The government reported the missile programs and tests in its semiannual report to inspectors and in its 12,000-page weapons declaration on Dec. 7. In his Jan. 27 report to the council, Blix said "these missiles might very well represent prima facie cases of proscribed systems." Sounds like it to me. He said the range of the missiles is significant, but some technical issues need to be studied before he makes a conclusion. "In the meantime, we have asked Iraq to cease flight tests of both missiles," he said. According to council diplomats, Blix reported that there had been 40 tests on the liquid-fueled al-Samoud 2, and it went beyond 93 miles 13 times, once to 114 miles. The al-Fatah, a solid propellant missile, was tested 33 times, and went over 93 miles eight times, once to 100 miles, the diplomats said on condition of anonymity. During Blix's visit to Baghdad in January, he said the Iraqis suggested that when they fitted guidance and control systems and other devices to the missiles they would be weighed down and fly less than the allowed distance. Sure, I believe that. In his Jan. 27 presentation, Blix noted that the diameter of the al-Samoud 2 was increased to 760 mm despite a 1994 U.N. directive to limit the missile's diameter to less than 600 mm. He reported that Iraq had refurbished casting chambers to produce missiles of the type that had been destroyed by previous U.N. inspectors. He said the equipment could produce motors for missiles capable of flying much farther than 93 miles. What more do you need, Mr. Blix? |
| Posted by:Steve |