18 replies to this topic

[Missouri Mule]

Wonder what is in these ships? Interesting.
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Iraqi 'terror ships' at sea
By Patrick McGowan, Evening Standard
19 February 2003

Three huge cargo ships feared to be carrying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction are being tracked around the world by British and American intelligence.

The vessels, which have been at sea for three months, are believed to be carrying weapons smuggled out through Syria or Jordan.

They are all refusing frequent requests to provide details of their cargo or destination and officials are worried that the vessels are maintaining radio silence in clear contravention of maritime law, which states all ships should be in constant communication.

Despite grave suspicions of what is on board, Britain and the US are afraid to order interception by naval ships because of fears the crews would scuttle the vessels, each between 35,000 and 40,000 tonnes. If they are carrying chemical, biological or nuclear weapons this could cause catastrophic environmental damage.

The vessels have called briefly at a handful of Arab countries, including Yemen, but they have been resupplied at sea with food, fuel and water by other ships. All three were chartered by a shipping agent based in Egypt and are understood to be sailing under three different flags of convenience.

The discovery of weapons of mass destruction would be a huge boost to George Bush and Tony Blair and would represent the "smoking gun" they need to justify invading Iraq. However, environmental concerns are preventing boarding of the vessels, whose positions are provided by satellite 24 hours a day.

They set sail just a few days after UN inspector Hans Blix returned with his team to Iraq to search for Saddam's weapons arsenal.

Iraq is effectively blockaded by US and Royal Navy ships patrolling the Gulf and the three vessels are not thought to have set sail from there.

A shipping industry source said: "These ships have maintained radio silence for long periods and for a considerable time they have been steaming round in everdecreasing circles.

"If Iraq does have weapons of mass destruction then a very large part of its capability could be afloat on the high seas right now."

In the build-up to possible war in Iraq, meanwhile, another huge wave of British troops flew out to the Gulf today.

About 1,000 members of 16 Air Assault Brigade, including paratroopers, infantry and support units, left RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on three overnight flights.

The troops, who are mainly from the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, based in Colchester, are among the last expected to be deployed to the Gulf region.

A group of 180 soldiers were the last to leave at just after 6am today when they boarded a passenger charter jet before heading off to a secret location.

They will join around 40,000 other British military personnel who have been sent to the Gulf over the last few weeks in preparation for a possible conflict to disarm Iraq.

http://www.thisislon...vening Standard

[xexon]

If it is determined that these ships do indeed carry forbidden cargo, I think they will be tracked till they are over deep ocean, and then destroyed by whatever means to make them sink the quickest.

If they stay near populated areas, tactics would have to change. Navy seals would most likely board them and try to secure the ship before anyone has a chance to push the panic button.

The latter is very risky.

x

[Tokyoman]

Did you read about the mini weapons of mass destruction?

Related stories

[Missouri Mule]

The mini nukes would refer to the tactical bunker busters. About 1/10 the size of a Hiroshima size bomb. Fallout should be minimal since it wouldn't explode until about 100 feet underground. Doubtful it will be used but it is an option.

[Tokyoman]

Where did they go?

[vigorous]

People tried to convince Swine but he was as the armless
knight in Monty Python, issuing epithets as the blood
spurted out of his arm sockets.

The truth has set us free of him.

[CHORNYVOLK]

Good riddence the man was a fool

[KoWT]

Refuting his aparatchik blather did wonders for my self-image.

[Tokyoman]

It's funny to look back on some of the crap that has been written and posted on this board sometimes.

I was looking through some old posts because I remembered someone writing how they hadn't seen much evidence of Shiite hostility in Iraq. Swine's Twilight Zone like post sorta jumped out.

[KoWT]

Don't all human beings need self image enhancement from time to time?

[KoWT]

Sometimes, I get so depressed that I feel like I'm a mere mortal.

[Mari]

It's getting deep in here

[gonzo]

I believe the yankees will "find" WMD a couple months before the election.

Three huge cargo ships feared to be carrying Iraqi weapons of mass destruction are being tracked around the world by British and American intelligence.

The vessels, which have been at sea for three months, are believed to be carrying weapons smuggled out through Syria or Jordan.

Nothing more then a lie that gullible Americans will believe. This could be a perfect startegy though. How could we PROVE that the ships do not exist?

The date could be a phoney ?? ""19 February 2003"" who knows??

swine your kind (RW Neo conservative's) and Zionists are dangerous to our society.

where does it end? who will eventually win??

[uglybastard]

kowt said, 'I sorta miss him, in an offhanded kinda way.
Refuting his aparatchik blather did wonders for my self-image.'

Didn't you treaten to kill him?

Seems like if you wanted him to stay, you could've been more civil.

[Tokyoman]

Gonzo,

WTF are you babbling about? The thread is an old one I dragged up for a laugh. Swine doesn't post here anymore.

[KoWT]

Don't be such a wuss UB

you know you love it

most folks could give a shit if you live or die, I actually played along with your sick games and granted you a luke warm and debatable threat on your life...

What do I get for my efforts?

Bitch, bitch, bitch...

I'm so offended that, unless you bump up a war nerd post and decry it as satire, I intend to go back to ignoring you completely.

[dobbie]

Originally posted by Tokyoman
Gonzo,

WTF are you babbling about? The thread is an old one I dragged up for a laugh. Swine doesn't post here anymore.

Its funny what some of the people around here will believe. This story is a prime example of dumb and dumber. Alot of Americans believed this story, likely still do infact.

I liked Swine and his daily funnies, better than getting the daily paper for the funnys section.

[gonzo]

I didnt catch it was an old thread. does that really change anything? justifiable grounds fo the WMD argument will likely surface this Summer or Fall.

[Tokyoman]

"I didnt catch it was an old thread. does that really change anything?"

Yes, it demonstrates you are a gullible Nazi.