[No one has a precise answer. The International Atomic Energy Agency dismantled 40 nuclear-research facilities before the U.N. inspectors left Iraq, including three uranium-enrichment sites. Prior to the inspections, Saddam's stealthiness had been so effective that none of the 40 were known to the outside world. Clearly, Iraq was on its way to becoming a nuclear power. Without ground inspections, those who track Iraq's nuclear development have had to rely on interviews with recent defectors and surveys of suppliers Baghdad has contacted seeking parts. Both suggest that Iraq's nuclear program is back in full swing.] Iraq's known nuclear scientists are gravitating to the country's five nuclear research sites, ... That doesn't appear to be coincidental. |
can hold their tongues. |
Certainly Iraq, even before oil-for-food and sanctions, conducted business by buying influence. |
Given that kind of background, I would be a little bit surprised if it was Saddam Hussein who directed this, ... But, on the other hand, I would also be somewhat surprised if there were no connection at all between Saddam and al Qaeda. |
He is of course of great interest because if one person knows the real story it's him, |
I also have insisted that the report include as much basic data as reasonable and that it be unclassified, since the tragedy that has been Iraq has exacted such a huge cost for so many for so long. |
I'm honored that director Tenet has asked me to tackle this challenging assignment. I'm approaching it with an open mind and am absolutely committed to following the evidence wherever it takes us. |
Iraq's known nuclear scientists are gravitating to the country's five nuclear research sites. That doesn't appear to be coincidental. |
It was a great game, |
It's the end of a week of inspections that had been planned, and (Ritter) will be returning back to his home office in New York, ... It is not intended to send a signal. It is not intended to mean anything other than the period of time of this inspection is over and he is coming home. |
Many perceive a grave risk in speaking with us. On one hand, there is a fear of prosecution or arrest. On the other, there is a fear [that] former regime supporters will exact retribution. This is, in part, why we do not yet fully understand the central issue of regime intentions, |
not found evidence to show that Iraq sought uranium from abroad. |
Other people on the team had other obligations, so logistically it would have been difficult to keep them there much longer. |
Over the past 10 months, we have learned that [deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's] most senior and trusted officials can hold their tongues, |
Some uncertainties remain and some information will continue to emerge about the WMD programs of the former Regime. Reports cited in the Comprehensive Report concerning the possible movement of WMD or WMD materials from Iraq prior to the war remain unresolved. |