'First-hand descriptions' of biological weapons
05/02/2003 18:34  - (SA)  

Scientists threatened with death Powell: Iraq dodging inspectors 'Act, or face irrelevance' Powell: Satellite photos show Iraqi deception Powell: Iraq making no effort to disarm

New York - US Secretary of State Colin Powell presented the UN security council on Wednesday with what he said were eyewitness accounts of Iraq's ongoing biological weapons programme.

In a presentation to a packed meeting of the council, Powell said the United States had "first-hand descriptions" of mobile biological weapons factories that could easily be moved by road and rail to avoid detection.

He specifically cited one on-site technician who had personally witnessed the death of 12 people following a leak at one such mobile facility in 1998.

Saddam Hussein has investigated "dozens" of diseases, including cholera and typhus, Powell said. "He also has the wherewithal to produce smallpox."

In a dramatic gesture, Powell held up a small phial, saying it could hold enough anthrax to shut down the US Senate.

While Iraq has declared the past production of 8 500 litres of anthrax, Powell said UN inspectors had previously estimated the total at 22 000l.

Such an amount added up to "tens upon tens upon tens of thousands of teaspoonfuls," Powell said. "And Saddam Hussein has not accounted for even one teaspoonful of this deadly material." - Sapa-AFP

 

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