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Reports: Iraq developing missiles for Libya, Sudan

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Sunday, August 13, 2000

WASHINGTON -- The United States is monitoring what intelligence sources said are efforts by Iraq to develop missiles abroad.

Among the countries believed to be developing Iraqi intermediate-range missiles are Libya and Sudan, Middle East Newsline reports. In both cases, North Korea is said to be providing expertise and missile components.

A CIA report relayed to Congress asserts that Iraq is financing the construction of a Scud missile assembly plant in Sudan. The plant is to be constructed by North Koreans.

Reports of such a plant have been circulating for nearly a year. They asserted that Iraq paid $400 million for the plant -- with Khartoum to receive half of the funds.

But in July U.S. intelligence agencies were said to have obtained new evidence that Iraq was pursuing such plans, U.S. intelligence sources said. The sources said Iraq has been transferring both missiles as well as experts in missile and nonconventional weapons to Khartoum.

In Libya, Iraq is said to be financing efforts to build intermediate-range missiles. Again, North Korea is said to be involved. U.S. intelligence sources said China and Egypt are also said to be involved in the development of a missile in Libya.

The CIA's national intelligence estimate asserts that Iraq, Iran and Libya are accelerating their missile programs with help from China, North Korea and Russia. The estimate said that Iraq has renewed development of intermediate-range missiles in the absence of United Nations weapons inspectors.

Sunday, August 13, 2000

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