For Immediate Release
June 2, 2003

Global Message

WMD: IRAQ SURVEY GROUP

We are now deploying the Iraq Survey Group to lead the investigation of Iraqi WMD programs.

The survey group will search sites, review documents and interview Iraqi officials. It will replace, through a planned rotation, the smaller units that provided our initial capability.

We have always said that information about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction was going to come from the people involved. That is why, for instance, we pressed during the inspections process for UNMOVIC and IAEA to interview scientists outside of Iraq. Now that Saddam's regime is gone, people in Iraq are free to talk.

The Iraq Survey Group will pursue this effort. It will be a tough task, given the limitations imposed by the security situation on the ground and the systematic destruction at some of the sites suspected of WMD involvement.