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Iraqi WMD Threat Grows, Detection Difficult
Monday, February 25, 2002
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service

Rumsfeld said that under the best of circumstances, U.N. inspectors would have a tough time in Iraq, where the repressive ruling regime has had years to "hide things, deny things and create mobility where they can actually keep things moving ahead of any inspectors."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
U.N. Security Council weapons inspectors would face a tough job if they return to Saddam Hussein's Iraq, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

It's enormously important to know what Hussein's doing, Rumsfeld said Feb. 24 on CBS Face the Nation, but U.N. inspectors will have a harder time than ever detecting evidence of the Iraqis' weapons of mass destruction program.

After the Gulf War in 1991, U.N.-mandated sanctions called for Iraq to surrender its weapons of mass destruction and to submit to U.N. inspections. Much has changed in the intervening years, Rumsfeld said.

The Iraqis refused to cooperate fully with the inspectors and since 1998 haven't allowed inspectors into the country. Rumsfeld said Iraqi officials have advanced their weapons of mass destruction program and they've had more time to go underground. They've acquired dual-use technologies and developed greater degrees of mobility, he said.
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2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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