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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