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21/07/2003
Iraqi scientists hold key to uncovering WMDs
Interviews with Iraqi scientists will be needed to discover evidence of banned weapons in Iraq, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said today.
In a television interview Mr Blair said that when weapons inspectors first entered Iraq in 1991, Saddam Hussein's full biological weapons programme remained undiscovered for four or five years.
He added: "Now I don't believe that that will happen this time, because they are beginning to get the cooperation of the Iraqi scientists and experts and so on - but the point is that the concealment of these weapons programmes was a very important part of his strategy."
Mr Blair said that there would be a better and more informed debate once the 1,200 strong Iraq Survey Group had delivered their report.
He rejected claims that weapons of mass destruction were just an invention of the CIA or British intelligence.
"The intelligence we had was real," he said. "My experience of our own intelligence services is that they are of the very highest calibre, and I believe that intelligence to be genuine."
(GMcG)
In a television interview Mr Blair said that when weapons inspectors first entered Iraq in 1991, Saddam Hussein's full biological weapons programme remained undiscovered for four or five years.
He added: "Now I don't believe that that will happen this time, because they are beginning to get the cooperation of the Iraqi scientists and experts and so on - but the point is that the concealment of these weapons programmes was a very important part of his strategy."
Mr Blair said that there would be a better and more informed debate once the 1,200 strong Iraq Survey Group had delivered their report.
He rejected claims that weapons of mass destruction were just an invention of the CIA or British intelligence.
"The intelligence we had was real," he said. "My experience of our own intelligence services is that they are of the very highest calibre, and I believe that intelligence to be genuine."
(GMcG)
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05 February 2004
Libya adopts Chemical Weapons Convention
Weapons inspectors have met with the Libyan government today as the Chemical Weapons Convention, which the country adopted last month, comes into force. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were in Tripoli today after Libya became the 159th State to join the convention.
Libya adopts Chemical Weapons Convention
Weapons inspectors have met with the Libyan government today as the Chemical Weapons Convention, which the country adopted last month, comes into force. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were in Tripoli today after Libya became the 159th State to join the convention.
18 July 2003
Blair and Bush stand behind decision to go to war
Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush have stood firm in their decision to go to war, amid continued questions over the reliability of key intelligence claims about Saddam Hussein's military capabilities.
Blair and Bush stand behind decision to go to war
Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush have stood firm in their decision to go to war, amid continued questions over the reliability of key intelligence claims about Saddam Hussein's military capabilities.
03 June 2003
PM rejects calls for public inquiry into WMDs
The Prime Minister has rejected fresh calls today for an independent public inquiry into the nature of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Instead it is expected that Mr Blair will formally task the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to investigate the issue in the Commons tomorrow.
PM rejects calls for public inquiry into WMDs
The Prime Minister has rejected fresh calls today for an independent public inquiry into the nature of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Instead it is expected that Mr Blair will formally task the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to investigate the issue in the Commons tomorrow.
30 May 2003
Blair rejects weapons dossier doctoring claim
Tony Blair has rejected suggestions that a Government dossier on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction was rewritten to make it “sexier”, branding the claims “completely absurd”.
Blair rejects weapons dossier doctoring claim
Tony Blair has rejected suggestions that a Government dossier on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction was rewritten to make it “sexier”, branding the claims “completely absurd”.
25 October 2004
UK must act now to defend itself against bio-terrorism, says BMA
If the development of biological and genetic weapons is not curtailed, it will be "virtually impossible" for Britain to defend itself from terrorist bio-weapons attack, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).
UK must act now to defend itself against bio-terrorism, says BMA
If the development of biological and genetic weapons is not curtailed, it will be "virtually impossible" for Britain to defend itself from terrorist bio-weapons attack, according to the British Medical Association (BMA).
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
