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Saddam's Web of Lies Conceals Iraq WMD Program
Friday, October 4, 2002
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Gove addressed the leaflet-drop operation Oct. 1 over Southern Iraq. A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft dropped about 120,000 leaflets on Iraqi anti-aircraft sites. The leaflets warned the Iraqi gunners not to fire on coalition aircraft patrolling the Southern No-fly Zone. If the Iraqis continue to fire, coalition aircraft will attack, the leaflets said. Gove said the leaflets are a continuing operation done at the discretion of the Southern Watch commander and added there may be further drops.

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Before making any judgments about Iraq, it is important for the American people to know that Saddam Hussein's regime lies to further its aims, Pentagon spokeswoman Torie Clarke said Oct. 4.

She said Pentagon officials would present a briefing in the next few days on the Iraqi dictator's denial and deception operations. She said the operations are very organized, comprehensive "and clearly intended to hide Iraq's weapons of mass destruction."

As the American people, the Congress and the United Nations confront issues on Iraq, Clarke said they should remember that it has been Iraqi policy to lie to their own people, neighboring countries and the world. "People should consider that fact very carefully as they weigh their decisions on how to deal with Iraq," she said.

Clarke called the Iraqi denial and deceit campaign a sophisticated program directed by the highest level in the government. She said there is already evidence that Iraq is trying to conceal its weapons of mass destruction program in anticipation of the return of U.N. arms inspectors.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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