Larry, once a spook, always a spook. More proof of the sophistry (or maybe obfuscation?), I gotta admire you!

There is no issue about the fact that Saddam used WMDs against the Iranians from 1981 and later against the Kurds (e.g. 5,000 civilian Kurds killed in Halabja). However, what is being hidden is the fact that he got the chemicals primarily from the US and Germany. The US supplied “dual use” licensed materials from at least 1985 and had “advisors” on-site (e.g. at the chemical plant in Al-Qaemushkashat, supposedly for "fertilizer"). After Halabja, the CIA , still supporting Saddam, suggested in several briefings that the gas was dropped by the Iranians, knowing that to be untrue. Plausible denial??

It is no secret that the US provided Iraq with battlefield intel during the Iranian war, particularly troop movements, etc., (e.g. on the re-taking of the Fao peninsula. ) Lt. Col. Rick Francona told Washington that the Iraqis had used gas to obtain victory. Later, Col. Walter Lang told the New York Times that “The use of gas on the battlefield by the Iraqis was not a matter of deep strategic concern.”

As a means of justifying their incursion into Iraq, both Bush Jnr. and Bliar, having years ago tried to hide Halabja, now were to use it as an excuse “remember, Saddam has gassed his own people.” However, before thousands of good guys were put in harm’s way, UN and EU intell. agencies supplied proof that any remaining WMD had been destroyed. Remember Blix?

I fully subscribe to your comment
Originally Posted By: L. Brown
.............. unless ............ the national leadership is "cooking the books" on the intelligence produced.

Rs,
K
PS The gases were mustard gas, hydrogen cyanide and tabun. Personally I'd prefer some lead shot. And I recall I said I would not debate with you:)