ABCNEWS is reporting anthrax linked directly to linked to Iraqi biological weapons program

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W A S H I N G T O N, Oct. 29 — Former U.N. weapons inspectors tell ABCNEWS they've learned the anthrax spores found in a poison letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle are nearly identical to those discovered in Iraq in 1994.

ABCNEWS also has learned that at least two labs have concluded the anthrax was coated with additives linked to the Iraqi biological weapons program. Despite continued White House denials, five well-placed and separate sources have told ABCNEWS that initial tests have detected traces of bentonite and silica, substances that keep tiny anthrax particles floating in the air by preventing them from sticking together — making them more easily inhaled.

Inhalation anthrax is far more deadly than the skin form of the disease.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer this morning continued to reject that bentonite has been found on the letter.

"Based on the results of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, it is fair to conclude that that test shows that there is no bentonite," Fleischer said. "Additional tests will be done and we'll try to keep you updated."

As far as is known, only one country, Iraq, has used bentonite to produce biological weapons, but officials caution the presence of the chemical alone does not constitute firm evidence of Iraqi involvement. While it's possible countries other than Iraq may be using the additive, it is a trademark of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's biological weapons program.

"It means to me that Iraq becomes the prime suspect as the source of the anthrax used in these letters," former U.N. weapons inspector Timothy Trevan told ABCNEWS.

In the process of destroying much of Iraq's biological arsenal, U.N. teams first discovered Iraq was using bentonite, which is found in soil around the world, including the United States and Iraq.

"That discovery was proof positive of how they were using bentonite to make small particles," former U.N. weapons inspector Richard Spertzel told ABCNEWS.

But officials cautioned that even if Iraq or renegade Iraqi scientists prove to be the source, it's a separate issue from who actually sent the anthrax through the mail.

"What you have to keep in mind is the difference between knowledge about what type of information you have to have to produce it, and who could have sent it," Fleischer said. "They are totally separate topics that could involve totally separate people. It could be the same person or people. It could be totally different people. The information does not apply to who sent it."

Experts say the bentonite discovery doesn't rule out a very well-equipped lab using the Iraqi technique. In fact, commercial spray dryers that Iraq used to produce its biological weapons were bought on the open market from the Danish subsidiary of a U.S. company for about $100,000 a piece.

Starting Thursday, FBI agents began asking company officials in Columbia, Md., if anyone suspicious in this country had recently acquired one of them. — Brian Ross, Christopher Isham, Chris Vlasto and Gary Matsumoto

ABCNEWS is reporting anthrax linked directly to linked to Iraqi biological weapons program

-- Ain't Gonna Happen (Not Here Not@ever.com), October 31, 2001

Answers

Wow, I heard last night that the anthrax used was made exactly according to the recipe used by our government weapons programs. They said it had to have come from within our country.

They sure squashed that story quick!

-- (cover@your.ass), October 31, 2001.


"As far as is known, only one country, Iraq, has used bentonite to produce biological weapons, but officials caution the presence of the chemical alone..."

"using bentonite, which is found in soil around the world, including the United States and Iraq"

God I love the press. Bentonite is a type of CLAY. Yeah, that's right CLAY. Not a chemical, it's CLAY. No wonder it's "found in soil around the world."

In fact, it's used every day for drilling water and oil wells. When the driller pumps slurry down the well to case it, he's using "drilling mud" that's -- come on class, you can get this one --- that's right it's BENTONITE. God, what a discovery by the press. Too bad they didn't research it far enough to find out what the hell they were talking about.

-- franki (MrWango@chemical.net), October 31, 2001.


Just see how eagerly they want to find an excuse to start war with Iraq. They had that intention as early as in anthrax attack in last October.

40. Anthrax crisis, who has motive and resource (3)

Newspaper said 911 terrorist leader Atta made contact with an Iraq diplomat this spring in Czech. And the material found mixed in anthrax letter are used by three countries: US; Russia; Iraq. Iraq thus becomes a main suspect. This meets some government officials' demand. They need an excuse to extend war against countries which sponser terrorist. And Iraq is the most wanted.

If Iraq is behind this anthrax attack, then it's a 'friendly attack' because 1. The first victim is a US celebrities' dislike. 2. Through that death, it gave US a pre-warning that there would be an anthrax attack. 3. It's a 'mercy attack'. Casualty is light and victims are ordinary people. 4. It maintains an intension on media and legislation so that they'll support adminstration's draged Afghanistan war.

But it's more like a little qroup's operation than a state sponsered biological warfare. The qroup took the chance of 911 terrorist bombing to test a new murder method by first mailing some brown granular material to NBC news on Sept. 18, then mailing letter with refined white powder to Senator Daschle on Oct. 8. They are testing the result of anthrax which were took from different sources step by step. And the fourth anthrax fatality, Nguyen, died mysteriously. She had no access to comtamination of bacteria. Her death won't cause any serious attention or trouble. She was a single, old minority, a perfect victim for a biology weapon test. Since anthrax is a restrict material, who has the authority and motive and resources to do that attack?

excerpted from "The dark side of USA" at:

http://hometown.aol.com/kathaksung/myhomepage/profile.html

If there is harassment (blank page, slow entering, server busy....) try

http://forums.delphiforums.com/police915/messages/?msg=25.1

-- Kat Hak Sung (kathaksung@aol.com), November 17, 2002.


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