The al-Qaqaa story gets more complicated

[link|http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/10/29/iraq.main/|http://www.cnn.com/2.../10/29/iraq.main/]

Basically the following are known.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says that more than 360 tons of material there is unaccounted for. (Revised downwards from an earlier estimate of 380 tons.)

Iraqi trucks were there on March 17, 2003 (2 days before the invasion).

US forces entered the area April 3rd.

Maj. Austin Pearson claims that his team removed 250 tons of material from al-Qaqaa on April 13. Removed materials included NT, plastic explosives, detonation cords, and white phosphorous rounds. No IAEA material was removed.

On April 18, 2003 a news crew from KSTP-TV entered the bunkers and saw IAEA material, including stuff that experts say is among the missing explosives.

In late May the facility was searched and found to be empty.

Putting this in perspective, about 400,000 tons of explosives were destroyed in Iraq, and about 250,000 tons remain unaccounted for. Of course most unaccounted for explosives are far less sensitive than this cache. (On the other hand if 360 tons generates this much outrage, how much more should 250,000 tons generate?)

Cheers,
Ben

Post #181,759 by ben_tilly 10/29/04 7:56:36 PM Reply	The al-Qaqaa story gets more complicated [link\|http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/10/29/iraq.main/\|http://www.cnn.com/2.../10/29/iraq.main/] Basically the following are known. The International Atomic Energy Agency says that more than 360 tons of material there is unaccounted for. (Revised downwards from an earlier estimate of 380 tons.) Iraqi trucks were there on March 17, 2003 (2 days before the invasion). US forces entered the area April 3rd. Maj. Austin Pearson claims that his team removed 250 tons of material from al-Qaqaa on April 13. Removed materials included NT, plastic explosives, detonation cords, and white phosphorous rounds. No IAEA material was removed. On April 18, 2003 a news crew from KSTP-TV entered the bunkers and saw IAEA material, including stuff that experts say is among the missing explosives. In late May the facility was searched and found to be empty. Putting this in perspective, about 400,000 tons of explosives were destroyed in Iraq, and about 250,000 tons remain unaccounted for. Of course most unaccounted for explosives are far less sensitive than this cache. (On the other hand if 360 tons generates this much outrage, how much more should 250,000 tons generate?) Cheers, Ben I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
Post #181,775 by jbrabeck 10/29/04 10:45:22 PM Reply	250,000 tons is too large a number for comprehension 300 +/- is a number that most can understand and comprehend. A good friend will come and bail you out of jail ... but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"
Post #181,779 by ben_tilly 10/29/04 10:49:56 PM Reply	I'd put it this way That's about 2 tons of loose weapons for each US soldier that we have in Iraq. Of course not all of it will be used against US soldiers, but... Cheers, Ben I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
Post #181,787 by altmann 10/30/04 2:13:54 AM Reply	or this way 1 AK-47 780 30-round clips 100 RPG-7 shoulder fired rockets for (against!) EACH US soldier expected to be in Iraq for the January elections -- Chris Altmann
Post #181,788 by altmann 10/30/04 2:19:02 AM 10/30/04 2:42:35 AM Reply	or even this way 1 AK-47 36 30-round clips 1 RPG-7 for each Iraqi male age 15-64 -- Chris Altmann Edited by altmann Oct. 30, 2004, 02:42:35 AM EDT Expand All History
Post #181,797 by daemon 10/30/04 11:34:52 AM Reply	Sounds reasonable to me its all in how its put to use isnt it? regards, daemon that way too many Iraqis conceived of free society as little more than a mosh pit with grenades. ANDISHEH NOURAEE
Post #181,801 by ben_tilly 10/30/04 12:37:57 PM Reply	snort I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)

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