Iraq Denies Blair's Accusations

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The Guardian
September 24, 2002

Accusing British Prime Minister Tony Blair of lying to justify an attack, Iraq dismissed a British government report Tuesday that said Saddam Hussein is pursuing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. ``This conclusion that Iraq is engaged in the production of weapons of mass destruction is simply not true,'' Iraqi presidential adviser Amir al-Sa'adi told a news conference.


``His (Blair's) allegations are long, his evidence is short,'' al-Sa'adi said, calling the report a ``hodgepodge of half-truths, lies and shortsighted and naive allegations'' which he said would not hold up when examined by ``competent and independent'' experts.

``He knows that his dossier is for public consumption and propaganda in preparation for war and not for the scrutiny of experts,'' al-Sa'adi added. The dossier released Tuesday in London says Saddam continues to develop chemical and biological weapons, is trying to acquire nuclear weapons and has extended the range of Iraq's ballistic missiles.

Al-Sa'adi specifically denied that Iraq had increased the range of the missiles beyond the 93-mile limit imposed by the United Nations. He said Iraq has continued to keep records on the development of its missile program in the absence of inspectors and would hand them over to the United Nations.

``All these allegations will not take long to verify when the inspectors are back,'' he said. ``They will soon reveal the truth about those things.'' On. Sept. 16, Iraq sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan agreeing to accept inspectors without conditions. But the United States has expressed skepticism Iraq will live up to that promise. Annan said at the United Nations Monday that he has not heard from Iraq since its letter on inspections.

Al Sa'adi said inspectors will have ``unfettered access'' to sites, but repeated Baghdad's opposition to any new U.N. Security Council demands. ``If there is a new resolution, we will not deal with it,'' he said. He said Iraq will ask the U.N. inspectors to check all the areas mentioned by Blair as a first priority.

The British dossier described as ``particularly worrisome'' the production of phosgene at al-Qa'qa' chemical complex, which was severely damaged in the Gulf War and dismantled under U.N. supervision, but since partially repaired.

``While phosgene does have industrial uses it can also be used by itself as a chemical agent or as a precursor for nerve agent,'' the dossier said. Al-Sa'adi said the plant was rebuilt ``with the approval and knowledge'' of the United Nations ``for the legitimate purposes needed for Iraq's defense.''

He accused Blair of singling out the ``small'' plant because it could produce propellant powder for pistols up to artillery guns for Iraqi air defenses. ``So we now know that probably this plant will be targeted,'' he said.


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