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Powell presents new evidences against Iraq

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell used audio tapes of intercepted Iraqi conversations and satellite photos to argue Feb. 5 that Iraq had concealed arms.

In a speech before the U.N. Security Council, Powell sought to convince skeptical nations that it may be necessary to use force to disarm Iraq rather than allow U.N. weapons inspections to go on indefinitely.

"Unless we act, we are confronting an even more frightening future," said Powell. "Clearly, Saddam will stop at nothing until something stops him."

Powell, however, did not appear to change many minds among the 15 Security Council members, with most but not all members saying inspectors needed more time.

His speech included audio tapes of Iraqi officials who were discussing how to hide things from inspectors and aerial photos of cleaned up chemical arms bunkers.

Powell said Iraq gave orders to sanitize documents that referred to "nerve agents," had hidden sensitive documents in cars that were driven around the country, and placed weapons scientists under house arrest to keep them from inspectors.

He revealed new information in making a case about possible al-Qaeda ties to Iraq, although he was careful not to draw any direct link between Iraq and the Sept. 11 attacks.

Powell cited informants as saying Iraq was hiding rocket launchers and warheads armed with biological weapons under palm trees in western Iraq, showed photos of what he said were 15 munitions bunkers, and said reports showed Iraq had 18 trucks as biological weapons laboratories.

Shukan ST: Feb. 14, 2003

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