For the record:  http://www.cia.gov/cia/reports/iraq_wmd_2004/note.html

--->

WMD Leftovers. There continue to be reports of WMD in Iraq. ISG has found
that such reports are usually scams or misidentification of materials or
activities. A very limited number of cases involved the discovery of old
chemical munitions produced before 1990. These types of reports
(particularly scams) will likely continue for some time and local
authorities will have to judge which merit further investigation.

Overall, I have confidence in the picture of events and programs covered
by this report. If there were to be a surprise in the future, it most
likely would be in the biological weapons area, since the signature and
facilities for these efforts are small compared to the other WMD types.
ISG disproved much of the prewar reporting from a specific source
concerning mobile BW capability, but it is still possible, though I would
judge very unlikely, that such a capability remains undiscovered. Given
the access to individuals involved in these programs, it would seem
probable that someone would have given some concrete indication of
surviving or undeclared capability.

The effort to investigate Iraq’s WMD programs has drawn on the skills and
resources of individuals from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the
United States. I am grateful for all their efforts and the efforts of
Iraqis who chose to assist. I must also recognize the military leadership
of the Iraq Survey Group’s USA General Keith Dayton and Brigadier General
Joe McMenamin and their UK colleaques, Brigadier Tim Tyler and Brigadier
Graeme Morrison. These men organized and ran the military organization
that conducted the investigation in a very difficult environment.
Hopefully, this report will help avoid similar tragedies as have
surrounded Iraq for the last 30 years.

Special Advisor to the Director
of Central Intelligence
March 2005

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The crucial benefit of an open society is that fear and superstition
cannot, in the end, suppress the evidence needed to make an informed
judgement.  For this ability we must give thanks regardless of how
dismayed we may become at our inability to prevent the need.


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