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U.S. reports find no evidence of Iraq WMD

WASHINGTON (AP) - Contradicting the main argument for a war that has cost more than 1,000 American and countless Iraqi lives, the top U.S. arms inspector said Oct. 6 he found no evidence that Iraq produced any weapons of mass destruction after 1991.

He also concluded that former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's capabilities to develop such weapons had dimmed - not grown - during a dozen years of sanctions before last year's U.S. invasion.

Contrary to prewar statements by President George W. Bush and top administration officials, Hussein did not have chemical and biological stockpiles when the war began and his nuclear capabilities were deteriorating, not advancing, said Charles Duelfer, head of the Iraq Survey Group.

The findings come less than four weeks before an election in which Bush's handling of Iraq has become the central issue.

The inspector's report could boost Democratic candidate John Kerry's contention that Bush rushed to war based on faulty intelligence and that U.N. sanctions and weapons inspectors should have been given more time.

But Duelfer also supports Bush's argument that Hussein remained a threat.

Interviews with the toppled leader and other former Iraqi officials made clear that Hussein had not lost his ambition to pursue weapons of mass destruction and hoped to reviｖe his weapons program if U.N. sanctions were lifted, his report said.

Shukan ST: Oct. 15, 2004

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World News U.S. reports find no evidence of Iraq WMD WASHINGTON (AP) - Contradicting the main argument for a war that has cost more than 1,000 American and countless Iraqi lives, the top U.S. arms inspector said Oct. 6 he found no evidence that Iraq produced any weapons of mass destruction after 1991. He also concluded that former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's capabilities to develop such weapons had dimmed - not grown - during a dozen years of sanctions before last year's U.S. invasion. Contrary to prewar statements by President George W. Bush and top administration officials, Hussein did not have chemical and biological stockpiles when the war began and his nuclear capabilities were deteriorating, not advancing, said Charles Duelfer, head of the Iraq Survey Group. The findings come less than four weeks before an election in which Bush's handling of Iraq has become the central issue. The inspector's report could boost Democratic candidate John Kerry's contention that Bush rushed to war based on faulty intelligence and that U.N. sanctions and weapons inspectors should have been given more time. But Duelfer also supports Bush's argument that Hussein remained a threat. Interviews with the toppled leader and other former Iraqi officials made clear that Hussein had not lost his ambition to pursue weapons of mass destruction and hoped to reviｖe his weapons program if U.N. sanctions were lifted, his report said. Shukan ST: Oct. 15, 2004 (C) All rights reserved