Iraqi 'terror ships' at sea

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Einar Stefferud <Stef () thor nma com>
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 15:12:04 -0800
To: Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
Subject: Iraqi 'terror ships' at sea

Something to investigate;-)...\Stef

Excerpt from: This is LONDON - 19/02/03

Iraqi 'terror ships' at sea   -   By Patrick McGowan, Evening Standard


Three huge cargo ships feared to be carrying Iraqi weapons of mass
destruction are being tracked around the world by British and American
intelligence. 

The vessels, which have been at sea for three months, are believed to be
carrying weapons smuggled out through Syria or Jordan.

They are all refusing frequent requests to provide details of their cargo or
destination and officials are worried that the vessels are maintaining radio
silence in clear contravention of maritime law, which states all ships
should be in constant communication. . . . <snip>

The discovery of weapons of mass destruction would be a huge boost to George
Bush and Tony Blair and would represent the "smoking gun" they need to
justify invading Iraq. However, environmental concerns are preventing
boarding of the vessels, whose positions are provided by satellite 24 hours
a day. 

They set sail just a few days after UN inspector Hans Blix returned with his
team to Iraq to search for Saddam's weapons arsenal.

Iraq is effectively blockaded by US and Royal Navy ships patrolling the Gulf
and the three vessels are not thought to have set sail from there.

A shipping industry source said: "These ships have maintained radio silence
for long periods and for a considerable time they have been steaming round
in everdecreasing circles.

"If Iraq does have weapons of mass destruction then a very large part of its
capability could be afloat on the high seas right now."

. . . <snip>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
©2003 Associated New Media
http://www.thisislondon.com/news/articles/3453118?source=Evening%20Standard


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