ECO-TERROR
Shaking Hands with Saddam Hussein: The National Security Archive at George Washington University today published on the Web a series of declassified U.S. documents detailing the U.S. embrace of Saddam Hussein in the early 1980's, including the renewal of diplomatic relations that had been suspended since 1967. The documents show that during this period of renewed U.S. support for Saddam, he had invaded his neighbor (Iran), had long-range nuclear aspirations that would "probably" include "an eventual nuclear weapon capability," harbored known terrorists in Baghdad, abused the human rights of his citizens, and possessed and used chemical weapons on Iranians and his own people. The U.S. response was to renew ties, to provide intelligence and aid to ensure Iraq would not be defeated by Iran, and to send a high-level presidential envoy named Donald Rumsfeld [sworn in as the 21st Secretary of Defense on January 20, 2001] to shake hands with Saddam (20 December 1983).
Did the US Help Saddam Acquire Biological Weapons?: Congressional Record: September 20, 2002 (Senate)
Mr. President, yesterday, at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I asked a question of the Secretary of Defense. I referred to a Newsweek article that will appear in the September 23, 2002, edition. That article reads as follows. It is not overly lengthy. I shall read it. Beginning on page 35 of Newsweek, here is what the article says:
America helped make a monster. What to do with him - and what happens after he is gone - has haunted us for a quarter century.
Firing Leaflets and Electrons, U.S. Wages Information War: As of last week, more than eight million leaflets had been dropped over Iraq - including towns 65 miles south of Baghdad - warning Iraqi antiaircraft missile operators that their bunkers will be destroyed if they track or fire at allied warplanes. In the same way, a blunt offer has gone to Iraqi ground troops: surrender, and live.
But the leaflets are old-fashioned instruments compared with some of the others that are being applied already or are likely to be used soon.