For Immediate Release
March 12, 2003
Global Message on Iraq, March 11, 2003
Chief Weapons Inspector Hans Blix filed a document with the UN
detailing 29 "clusters" of unresolved disarmament issues, covering
chemical and biological weapons and the means to deliver them,
including:
Undeclared UAV: Blix revealed the recent discovery of an undeclared
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
Lists of WMD Personnel: According to Blix's report, "Iraq lists
less than 132 'experts, specialists, and technicians'...as having
worked in the entire chemical weapons program. UNMOVIC databases, on
the other hand, indicate that over 325 individuals were engaged in
chemical weapons related research or had responsible positions
associated with agent production at [one facility] alone."
Anthrax: Blix's report states "UNMOVIC has credible information
that the total quantity of BW agent in bombs, warheads, and in bulk at
the time of the Gulf War was 7,000 liters more than declared by Iraq.
This additional agent was most likely all anthrax. Based on all the
available evidence the strong presumption is that about 10,000 liters
of anthrax was not destroyed and may still exist."
16 weeks after the passage of 1441, the Iraqi regime has not
complied and has not cooperated "immediately, unconditionally, and
actively," as required by UN Resolution 1441. Iraq's recent gestures
are nothing more than attempts to game the inspectors, split the
international community, and sap its resolve.
Saddam Hussein possesses weapons of terror, and provides funding,
training, and safe haven to terrorists who would willingly use weapons
of mass destruction. If the world fails to confront the threat posed by
the Iraqi regime, free nations would assume immense and unacceptable
risks.
Saddam has had 12 years to disarm. The diplomatic window is
closing. Security Council members must stand and be counted, and
sometime this week we will call for a vote on the resolution. We are
hopeful the members of the Security Council will live up to their
obligations and vote to affirm and enforce UN Resolution 1441.
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