Thats a good article MA.
What I do find, in retrospect, is that Bush made a declaration to the degree that Syria
has WMD...mainly chemical back in 4/13/03.
Article:
"BUSH ACCUSES SYRIA"
Link:
www.sky.com...
And Syria's intentions are well known:
Source:
"The Nuclear Threat Initiative: NTI"
Link:
www.nti.org...
Excerpt:
Chemical:
"According to open sources, Syria has one of the most extensive chemical weapons (CW) capabilities in the Middle East and among developing countries
worldwide. Syria allegedly received initial chemical warfare assistance and supplies, including chemical agents, from Egypt prior to the October War
against Israel in 1973. Analysts claim that the country now has an indigenous capability to produce and weaponize nerve (e.g., sarin and VX) and
blister (e.g., mustard) agents. There are some allegations that Syria received Russian assistance in developing these agents, and that it acquired
dual-use technology and equipment from various European countries and India. Syria possesses Scud-B and Scud-C ballistic missiles capable of being
fitted with chemical warheads, and in 1999 it allegedly tested a Scud-B carrying a warhead designed to disperse VX. Open sources assert that there are
at least three Syrian facilities currently engaged in producing CW, located near Damascus, Hama, and Safira village (in the Aleppo area). Damascus
ratified the Geneva Protocol in 1968, but so far has declined to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)."
Missile:
"Syria�s missile program began in the early 1970s as a means to counter Israel�s superior conventional military capabilities; since that time, the
missile program has grown in tandem with the development of chemical weapons (CW). Syria now has one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles in
the region, made up of hundreds of Scud-derived missile systems. In the 1970s and 1980s, Syria relied on Soviet technology and support for its missile
program and imported the Soviet FROG-7, Scud-Bs, and the solid-fueled Scarab SS-21 missiles. In the 1990s, Syria looked to other states to supply it
with missile technology and found willing partners in Iran and North Korea. Iran provided Syria with technical assistance for solid-fueled rocket
motor production, while North Korea supplied it with equipment and technical assistance for liquid-fueled missile production. Syria, however, has had
difficulty creating an indigenous production capability and has had to rely on continued imports from countries such as North Korea and China. Syria
reportedly purchased 150 Scud-C missiles from North Korea in 1991. In September 2000, Syria tested a North Korean, 700 km-range Scud-D, revealing its
commitment to expanding its missile capability. Syria is not a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)."
Another Source:
"Middle East Intelligence Bulletin"
Link:
www.meib.org...
Excerpt:
Missiles and WMD
"There is considerable evidence that Sarin nerve agents and HD(mustard gas) are produced at facilities just north of Damascus and near Hama, while
the deadly VX nerve agents are produced at a petrochemical complex just south of Homs. The main biological weapons (BW) agent facility is at the
Damascus-based Scientific Research Council), where Anthrax, Cholera and Botulism developed by the Biological Research Facility are produced. Syria's
chemical and biological weapons program, unlike its centralized Iraqi and Iranian counterparts, is dispersed around a number of small dedicated
facilities and is proving much harder to detect. Syria can also can access the production capability of over a dozen government-controlled
pharmaceutical plants spread widely across the country."
One
Does have to note, though, that like the US, Syria has not has not signed a new treaty banning chemical weapons in total The
Chemical-Weapons Treaty.
Link:
slate.msn.com...
Another source:
Global Securities has information on Syria's:
Chemical Weapons
Link:
www.globalsecurity.org...
Nuclear Program
Link:
www.globalsecurity.org...
Then this article today:
"Syria Allows Fighters to Enter Iraq, Develops Arms"
reported by Bloomberg...sorry no link....
"Sept. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Syria is letting Islamist fighters cross its border to attack U.S. soldiers in Iraq while the regime in Damascus continues
the development of mass-destruction arms, the U.S. State Department's arms-control chief told Congress.
Syria is ``committed to expanding and improving its chemical weapons program,'' and is developing ``an offensive biological weapons capability,''
John Bolton, the undersecretary of State for arms control and international security, said at a House International Relations subcommittee hearing in
Washington today.
Bolton alleged that Syria allowed military equipment and ``volunteers'' into Iraq before and during the war, and hasn't stopped militants from
passing through its territory to menace the U.S.-led occupation. So far the U.S. has not found conclusive evidence that Syria accepted and hid
stockpiles of Iraqi arms, weapons the Bush administration described as the justification for the toppling of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, he told
lawmakers.
The diplomat's assertions served as the latest U.S. warning to Syria that its government is still interfering in Iraq and stirring up violence
elsewhere in the Middle East. The U.S. labels Syria a state sponsor of terrorism because it supports groups that attack Israel in a campaign to block
a settlement with the Palestinian Authority.
While there is no information that indicates Syria has handed weapons of mass destruction to terrorist groups, the U.S. has warned Syria of the
``seriousness'' of doing so, Bolton said. The Bush administration says the country supports and provides sanctuary to the U.S.-designated terrorist
groups Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Regime Change
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell visited the Syrian capital Damascus in May, pressing leader Bashar al-Assad to end support to the terrorist
groups, help the U.S. rebuild Iraq and end its control over Lebanon. President George W. Bush said he expected Syria to carry out these changes.
While the U.S. wants to handle its disputes with Syria peacefully, ``we must allow ourselves the option to use every tool in our nonproliferation
toolbox,'' Bolton said. When asked whether toppling Assad was a possible strategy, Bolton said the Bush administration isn't ``taking any options
off the table.''
Powell still believes U.S. disputes with Syria should be addressed diplomatically, Bolton said.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara told reporters in Damascus today that his government would comply with U.S. demands that are ``logical and
realistic,'' without specifying what those were, Agence France-Presse reported.
Powell said in Kuwait yesterday that Syria must seal its borders to anti-U.S. militants and help find bank accounts of Saddam Hussein's loyalists,
according to AFP.
After a closed intelligence briefing with the House committee, Bolton is scheduled to leave for Moscow, a frequent destination for the diplomat. The
U.S. has expressed concern over Russia's cooperation with Iran and Syria in building nuclear power plants. Bush will meet with Russian leader
Vladimir Putin later this month at the Camp David presidential retreat, and will press this issue, Bolton said."
Hope this clarifies things a bit.....I am a bit amiss about the capabilities of the CIA in their gathering of information. Almost sounds as if they
(the CIA) are/is spreading a dis-information trail so folks will think they are crap or maybe they are crap. Your guess is as good as mine
currently.
Perhaps, maybe thats where some of Saddam's WMD are...dunno, but a thought....
regards
seekerof
[Edited on 17-9-2003 by Seekerof]