US claims Iraq hiding weapons
US Secretary of State Colin Powell today told the United Nations Security Council that Washington had evidence that Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi regime were concealing efforts to produce more weapons of mass destruction.
Evidence from intercepted phone calls, satellite photographs and the testimony of individual witnesses would show that Saddam was making no effort to comply with UN demands that he give up his arsenals, said Mr Powell.
He was giving a presentation to the Security Council in New York designed to win over world opinion to the US administration’s belief that military action is needed to disarm Saddam.
As his hour-long submission began, Mr Powell told Council members: “What we will show you is an accumulation of facts and disturbing patterns of behaviour.
“The facts and Iraq’s patterns of behaviour demonstrate that Saddam Hussein and his regime have made no effort – no effort – to disarm, as required by the international community.
“Indeed, the facts and Iraq’s behaviour show that Saddam Hussein and his regime are concealing their efforts to produce more weapons of mass destruction.”
Meanwhile, Downing Street announced that Tony Blair would meet chief weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed El Baradei tomorrow.
The meeting will take place at Number 10 following the morning Cabinet, as Dr Blix and Dr El Baradei stop off in London on their way from New York to Baghdad, where they will hold talks with Iraqi officials.
