WMDs factory found in Iraq

[nystate]

Just reported, described as huge.

[StormCrazyIowan]

:o Now what, UN????

[mf_dolphin]

This is great news! STUFF IT FRANCE! Is there a link to the story?

[azsnowman]

Ya know, the latest bombing missions in and around Baghdad this evening has been described as some of the most intense yet, sounds like maybe even the new bomb that was tested in Florida just 2 weeks agos, the *MOAB* 20,000+#'s. That makes sense, they said in order to blow a chem-bio plant up it would take a total inceneration of the area to prevent any leakage, Hmmmmm!

Dennis

[OtherHD]

Wow, I hope this story is true! One fear of mine was that we would be too late and Iraqi officials would have destroyed all the WMD's before we had a chance to uncover them, thus making us look like fools. But like MF said, THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!

[streetsoldier]

FoxNews reports that this chemical weapons plant was near Naziriyah, AND they have the Iraqi general who was in charge of it...now, then...how long was Dr. Blix in Iraq? And how many days have WE been there?

[weatherwunder]

Found this out there on the WMD

Reports chemical weapons found
March 24 2003


US forces have found a huge cache of what they believe to be chemical weapons about 160km south of Baghdad, Fox News reported today.

The report, which cited unidentified Pentagon officials, said the chemicals and what was believed to be a chemical weapons factory were discovered by advancing US forces.

No immediate confirmation of the report was available.

US military leaders warned they expected fighting in Iraq to intensify as coalition forces advanced toward Baghdad, facing increased resistance from Saddam Hussein's troops and their possible use of chemical or biological weapons.

"There have to be tough days ahead," said Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. "How long is not knowable. How many casualties is not knowable."



"The hardest part is yet to come," said Gen Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Rumsfeld and Myers gave an upbeat assessment of the overall progress of the war in Iraq so far. They and other military officials said coalition forces were within 160 kms of Baghdad, the Iraqi capital where much stiffer resistance is expected.

"The potential for the use of weapons of mass destruction, it grows as we get closer to Baghdad," said Rumsfeld.

So does the possibility of finding the chemical and biological weapons that President George W Bush has said the coalition wants to remove from Iraq, said Lt Gen John Abizaid of Central Command.

"I have no doubt that we'll find weapons of mass destruction, but you shouldn't think it's going to happen tomorrow," Abizaid told a news conference at command headquarters in Qatar.

Bush, returning to the White House from Camp David, said "this is just the beginning of a tough fight". His defence team earlier today appeared on five morning talk shows.

The notes of caution came as a handful of American soldiers were taken prisoner, a US Patriot missile accidentally downed a British warplane and an American soldier attacked his own comrades with a grenade.

Rumsfeld said that in the end, the Iraqi military will surrender, but "how long it will take and when it will tip, I don't know."

"The closer we get to Baghdad, the greater the pressure, the more likely that they'll tip," he said.

Coalition forces also attacked targets to the north and west of Baghdad, including communications nodes, military leadership targets and Iraqi commando units, Abizaid said. Coalition forces were working in and around several airfields in western Iraq where Iraq launched missiles against Israel in the 1991 Gulf War.

"You never can be certain, but the hope and the prayer is that we will have successfully prevented the firing of any ballistic missiles from that portion of Iraq that could strike neighbouring countries," Rumsfeld said.

Rumsfeld said various ploys used by the Iraqis won't work, such as writing messages on the roofs of some buildings saying that civilian "human shields" were inside.

Military officials said Iraqi forces have lured US soldiers with false claims of surrender, attacked from the midst of civilians, disguised fighters in civilian clothes and rigged explosives on bridges and buildings in Shiite Muslim neighbourhoods in Baghdad.

Regardless of what Iraq does, "we are not going to be deterred at all," Rumsfeld said.

Rumsfeld noted that while Saddam can order the use of chemical or biological weapons, it is up to his military to carry it out.

"We have focused extensively on the military people that he would have to persuade to do it, and let them know in no uncertain terms that they must not do it, and if they do do it, they will be hunted down and punished," Rumsfeld said.

The defence secretary said he had heard reports printed in the British press that Saddam was seriously injured and needed a blood transfusion, but Rumsfeld said Saddam's fate from the Wednesday night missile attack is uncertain.

Saying the Iraqi government has mingled its military installations with mosques, hospitals and schools, Rumsfeld said he would advise anyone "anywhere near" military facilities to leave.

[azsnowman]

"Have no Fear, the French are here!" The French did send in a special bio-chem weapons team, remember, isn't there 145 of 'em? So, put your fears to rest Figures, they send in their specialist to claim the VICTORY over bio chem weapons, just like the French, "bring up the rear or should I say, Puttin it in the rear!"

Dennis

[streetsoldier]

Why do we need the French? We already HAVE bio-petro-chemical specialists from the UK, Norway and the Netherlands on tap...

[mf_dolphin]

The French probably helped them build it. Let them go in without protection since the Iraqi's don't have any chemical weapons. Use them as live guinea pigs!

[StormCrazyIowan]

Amen!

[Arizwx]

This is great news! STUFF IT FRANCE! Is there a link to the story?

HOW is this GOOD NEWS?It is fine for making a Political POINT,however,Political Points don't interact directly with our troops safety,and those of the Iraqi people and the Middle East as a whole.
This means,IF it is what I beleive it is,the 100 acre plant that 'Chemical Ali' used for the proliferation of developed VX and Mustard.This is VERY dangerous,as the WMDs are already PRODUCED.Which means,we have to find the 1000s of Litres of Chems...presumeably,Saddam had plenty of time (thanks to the FRENCH and GERMANS and SWEDES and RUSSIANS!!!)to deliver the 'Product' to Republican Guard units(not necessarilty Divisions).This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS,and changes the face of our March to Baghdad,we MUST be careful not to have a Rear Flank Missile (WMD) attack from the Dug In Rep Guard elite.
Remeber,just as the War started...the US GOV reported that Iraqi Troops had been observed LOADING WMDs into Missiles.

[Aslkahuna]

I have a bad feeling about this. General Patton reportedly said in WWII that he'd rather have the Germans in front of him than the French behind him so having the French in the rear areas can NOT be good news either-they should be the cockroaches ahead to warn of the presence of Chemicals.

Steve

[wx247]

Major development. Was watching that on FOX just a few minutes ago.

[Amanzi]

The French can kiss my pearly white rear-end!

[wx247]

LOL @ Amanzi. That is funny.

[chadtm80]

ROFLMAO!!!!

[Steve H.]

Has anyone heard any verification of the chemical plant, and is it a chemical "weapons" Plant. I've heard nothing to confirm this. Anyone have details???

[mf_dolphin]

This is great news! STUFF IT FRANCE! Is there a link to the story?

HOW is this GOOD NEWS?It is fine for making a Political POINT,however,Political Points don't interact directly with our troops safety,and those of the Iraqi people and the Middle East as a whole.
This means,IF it is what I beleive it is,the 100 acre plant that 'Chemical Ali' used for the proliferation of developed VX and Mustard.This is VERY dangerous,as the WMDs are already PRODUCED.Which means,we have to find the 1000s of Litres of Chems...presumeably,Saddam had plenty of time (thanks to the FRENCH and GERMANS and SWEDES and RUSSIANS!!!)to deliver the 'Product' to Republican Guard units(not necessarilty Divisions).This is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS,and changes the face of our March to Baghdad,we MUST be careful not to have a Rear Flank Missile (WMD) attack from the Dug In Rep Guard elite.
Remeber,just as the War started...the US GOV reported that Iraqi Troops had been observed LOADING WMDs into Missiles.

My point was that we may now have proof. The discovery of the plant doesn't increase the chance of a chemical attack on our troops. I don't think any reasonable person thinks that Saddam has destroyed his arsenal. The potential (strong likelyhood) has been there from the beginning and will increase as we approach Bagdad. I just have faith that our military commanders have taken this inot account and have planned for it. I agree that it is an extremely dangerous situation. I was stationed at Dugway Proving Grounds where our own chemical/biological weapons were developed and learned real quick just what those type of weapons can do.

[weatherwunder]

A senior pentagon official has confirmed to Fox News on Sunday that coalition forces have discovered a "huge" suspected chemical weapons factory near the Iraqi city of An Najaf, which is situated some 90 miles south of Baghdad.