Iraqi scientists say N-programme ended long ago

By Charles Clover in Baghdad
Published: September 14 2003 20:39 | Last Updated: September 14 2003 20:39

Throughout 12 years of sanctions and weapons inspections, Iraqi nuclear scientists who denied the existence of a nuclear weapons programme were accused of being bought and threatened into silence by the Iraqi regime. Now, at last, they are free to talk without fear of reper- cussions and they are still saying the same thing - that the programme was scrapped long ago.

"It was surprising to hear these things from the Americans, that we could build a nuclear bomb in six months, while meanwhile we were sitting here scrounging for a screwdriver."

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